Red carpet season guarantees a few things, like awkward host jokes and a slew of trending Twitter topics. Another certainty: Viola Daviswill come to slay... and she did just that at the Golden Globes tonight. The How To Get Away With Murder star wore a crown of dark brown curls and coils, stretched to perfection by her hairstylist Jamika Wilson.
"The movement of wearing black and standing in solidarity for all women was my inspiration," Wilson tells Refinery29 exclusively. "Their collective choice speaks volumes; they stood tall and unapologetic for their beliefs. And I wanted to create a hairstyle equally as bold and beautiful."
To do that, she started the night before with a two-strand twist-out on Davis' 4c hair, enhanced by extensions. "Using extensions allows women to be creative, experiment with lengths and change any look as they choose," Wilson says. "They're a great hair accessory." She worked As I Am Curling Jelly Definer and As I Am Doublebutter Cream through her hair, and Davis slept with the twists in overnight. To prevent shrinkage, Wilson applied a small amount of Shea Moisture Red Palm & Cocoa Butter Curl Stretch Pudding, which elongated and defined the style. She used an Afro pick and a blow dryer with a diffuser to stretch out the curls, and also picked up a Hot Tools 1/2” curling iron to define some pieces. "I love the fact that women are embracing their natural hair and playing with texture," Wilson says. "There’s more experimentation on the carpet, more embracing of natural texture, more creative styles. It’s gorgeous and exciting!"
Of course, this isn't the first time that the actress proudly wore her natural hair texture on the red carpet. At the 2012 Emmys, she went without a wig for the first time ever. "I would not say that I was 100 percent comfortable until I walked onto the carpet," she told us in a previous interview. "And I'll tell you why: Number one, I felt like I had to be. Number two, I just wanted to be me. Every time you walk that carpet, the pressure to be your authentic self, but at the same time not stick out... That balance is something we are all trying to reach when we walk out the door every day. How do we fit in, but be ourselves and be true to ourselves?"
It's a lesson that she's committed to passing on to her 7-year-old daughter Genesis. Davis posed with Genesis, who wore her own beautiful curls, before this year's Golden Globes ceremony. "I don’t care how stereotypical it is, beauty has got to come from the inside," Davis told us, when asked what she hopes to teach Genesis about beauty. "It’s got to come from owning her story — all of it. Her failures, her insecurities, her strength, her joy, all of it. There’s not one thing she can leave on the side of the road and not claim. That’s all I want for her."
Paired with coppery lids, mile-long lashes, a metallic lip, and a glimmering highlight created by artist Autumn Moultrie, Davis' glow rivaled the trophy that she presented that evening.
We called it: When you’re restricted to wearing just one color, creativity forces your hand. But on Sunday evening, Hollywood rose to the occasion, making black their own — and in Connie Britton’s case, taking things one step further and wearing a literal statement sweater.
On Sunday evening, the Nashville actress walked the red carpet wearing a black long-sleeve Lingua Franca top embroidered with the words “Poverty is sexist.” She styled it with a black Max Mara skirt. Britton shared her look on Instagram, captioning the photo: “My sweater says "Poverty is sexist" and we dressed in black to acknowledge that it is time for all of us, men and women, to empower ourselves with equality.” She explained the inspiration for the look, saying during the red carpet: “My hope is that this movement will now reach the grass roots, the small towns, the villages near and far, where women have been silenced, without resources, in the face of gender disparity. We are all stronger when we work together with respect and understanding. Strong women equal strong families, economies, and communities. Everywhere. So let's get this show on the road.”
Photo: Getty Images.
Lingua Franca created the custom sweater for Britton and shared her awards show look on their Instagram account, writing: “@conniebritton stuns in custom... us!!!!!! Omg so amazing to see our sweater on the red carpet!” While Britton’s sweater is creating awareness for one campaign, an organization working to fight poverty and prevent diseases, particularly in Africa, Rachelle Hruska MacPherson, the designer behind the New York-based label, also created a black sweater with “Time’s Up” written across the chest in white. It retails for $380, and $100 of each of those sweaters sold will benefit the Time’s Up legal fund. You can buy yours here.
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Not only did Ronan’s stylist Elizabeth Saltzman recommission the Atelier Versace gown she was set to wear in black, but the actress also wanted to commission an entirely female team to bring the look to life. “Saoirse and I had a conversation at the beginning of the season that should Lady Bird go the distance, we wanted to work with all females — female make-up, female hairstylists, female designers — and that we would never talk about it to anyone. It would be our fun secret, our empowering moment,” Saltman told British Vogue in an interview.
As for the final product, the beautiful black gown with a hint of silver embellishment that Ronan wore on the red carpet, “it’s not about sex, it’s about strength. It’s not about frivolity, it’s about confidence, excellence, purity and support,” says Saltzman. A sentiment both Donatella and Allegra Versace understood, “because Lady Bird is a mother-daughter tale. It has been the year of Versace, remembering Gianni and the empowerment he gave to women,” she notes. And this dress does just that — and so much more.
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You can always count on any red-carpet event to turn out a few red-lipstick looks to match, but in the context of tonight's Golden Globes, the ubiquity of the powerful color's presence seemed less like a trend and more like a statement. The sea of actresses in black dresses topped off with lips in shades of scarlet, cherry, and wine was more than just eye-catching: It was a movement.
For those who initially speculated that the evening's protest would be a silent one, for better or for worse, they didn't have much to worry about in the end. Activists appeared alongside actors, the #TimesUp mission happened out loud in real time, and the starring role of the color red was no accident — it filled in the blanks, as it has all throughout history.
Daring, expressive, self-assured, the same symbol of feminine rebellion worn by suffragettes in 1912 (as doled out by one Elizabeth Arden) reigned supreme, worn on the lips of Wonder Woman, Emma Watson, and so many more. Ahead, the actresses who showed up to the red carpet with their strength, resilience, and grit worn right on their faces for the world to see. Go ahead — read their lips.
For Jessica Chastain, makeup artist Tyron Machhausen wanted to give the "strong, fierce" actress something equally bold and powerful to complement both her black gown and the issues that, he said, are "always in the back of her mind." So they decided on a real, strong statement red, Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Passion, and swept on three layers for maximum impact. "Jessica is so fierce about everything, with #TimesUp and everything women's rights, and I thought this very intense red would just be a perfect statement for her red carpet look," Machhausen said.
Photo: Courtesy of Chanel.
It's only fitting that Wonder Woman herself — otherwise known as actress Gal Gadot — also chose something on the red spectrum for the night, in the form of this rich berry. Makeup artist Sabrina Bedrani used Revlon Super Lustrous in Bombshell Red.
To give America Ferrera her bold yet fresh-faced look, makeup artist Vanessa Scali swept on Avon True Color Lipstick in Poppy Love with a lip brush, then blotted the color down to a sheer, natural flush.
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Celebrity makeup artist Matin confirmed via Instagram that Mandy Moore wore Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Lips lipstick in Walk of Fame on the red carpet.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Zoë Kravitz went with a shiny, slightly sheer cherry shade.
Claire Foy got her intense, decidedly royal matte red courtesy of Chantecaille Lip Stick in Cerise and makeup artist Georgie Eisdell.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.
This bright orange-red was unapologetically bold on Christina Hendricks.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Jamie Chung chose a strong matte finish and a brick red shade.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
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Millie Bobby Brown might be 13, but when it comes to all-around badass-ery, the girl's got us beat by decades. At the Golden Globes, the Stranger Things star's hairstyle had some magic of its own. On first glance, you can see three braids peeking out from underneath her bun (created by talented hairstylist Blake Erik). But, take a second look, and you might notice that the plaits resemble an "M," which many speculated to be her first initial. Other Instagram users pointed out that the two crisp parts form an "11," perhaps an ode to her standout character in the series.
Well, blame Stranger Things for making us obsess over potential secret messages, because the whole thing was entirely a happy accident. "It definitely was not an intentional Eleven reference," Erik tells Refinery29. "But I can see it now — it's a cheeky coincidence, but not intentional."
Erik says that the three braids simply fit the look they were going for — and flattered the shape of Brown's head. Brown, who collaborates on her hair looks with Erik, loved the finished result.
Perhaps the intricate look was the reason Brown was late to the red carpet and couldn't walk with her Stranger Things co-stars. As one Twitter user reminded us, a queen is never late — everyone else is simply early.
Aging gracefully is the goal of hopeful, optimistic millennials everywhere, isn’t it? We’d like to look healthy, and damn good, as the decades go by. Well, as professionals (and capitalism!) tell us, the key to a beautiful complexion is daily care and smart prevention.
We get it: You already knew that! But, don't you get confused about how exactly you should be “preventing” things? (Is Botox preventative?) How can we weave new products into our routines without prompting an onslaught of clogged pores and acne? And, more importantly, at what point do we need to get Olivia-Pope levels of serious about fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation?
To answer these very important questions (and help phase you into real adulthood), we consulted one prominent dermatologist and two aestheticians. Here, they take us through the early, middle, and late chapters of our 20s, and then give us a sneak peek at our 30s. But, before you start clicking, we want you to note: At no point is it too late to start taking good care of your skin. And, if you have any questions about what you see here, feel free to leave a message in the comments, and we’ll i get back to you.
The Early 20s Adulthood is just beginning for you, children of the future! Unfortunately, while life speeds up, your body does the opposite. “Skin-repair replacement mechanisms begin to slow by age 20,” says celebrity dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD. “In women, there are hormonal shifts — estrogen declines, and testosterone increases.” This might come as a surprise for someone who’s just beginning to enjoy the best skin of their lives: “Your skin, right now, looks like it's in its prime,” says Caroline Hirons, a London-based aesthetician. “But, what you do right now will determine how it looks later on.”
So, your early 20s are kind of like facial bootcamp: It's the time to build up the proper discipline and habits that will help you age gracefully — without going totally overboard and causing your face to become a red, irritated mess.
Swap the Acne Wash “Americans treat their skin like it’s the enemy," says Hirons. "It’s not! Get rid of any foaming acne cleansers, because they’re too stripping.” Unless you’re under specific instructions from your derm to use a medicated daily wash, choose a gentler alternative. “A cleansing milk will balance the complexion and remove the day’s grime,” she says.
Pick Up A Cleansing Oil And, of course, washing twice daily is absolutely necessary. “I always tell my clients that cleansing before bed is non-negotiable. Now is the time to be responsible,” says celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas. And don’t try to be sneaky after you’ve had a few too many cocktails at happy hour: “Cleansing wipes absolutely don’t count as washing your face!” Hirons says.
Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil, $28, available at Sephora.
A cleansing balm is another excellent choice. Many formulas, like this one, are loaded with oils that dissolve makeup in a matter of seconds. Unlike cleaning oils, balms are solid at room temperature, making them a great mess-free options for travel.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, $29, available at Clinique.
Squirt a few pumps of this oil cleanser into your hands and massage it onto dry skin. Infused with camellia oil, it'll melt away heavy-duty, long-wearing makeup without having to tug or rub. Even better? After rinsing off, your face will feel soft and clean — without ever experiencing that uncomfortable tightness.
Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, $48, available at Sephora.
Start Exfoliating Three Times a Week “You have to stimulate your skin in order for it to repair itself,” explains Dr. Lancer. “It’s just like exercise — you have to get the muscles burning in order to promote cardiovascular muscular growth. Make sure to use a scrub at night, so your skin has time to recover.” Since you’re still young and beautiful (as Lana Del Rey sings), you’ll want something gentle with just the right amount of grit: You don't want to rub your face raw. This product should do the trick.
Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub, $37, available at Ulta Beauty.
Photo: Dermalogica
Swap Your Toner That’s right: It doesn’t always have to sting! “I always recommend my younger clients stay away from astringent toning products [in favor of] something more balancing,” Vargas says. “Rose is incredibly hydrating and good for circulation — it works on any skin type.”
“The skin around the eyes is very thin and gentle, which means signs of aging are likely to start there,” says Vargas. You should apply a basic, hydrating eye cream both day and night to keep fine lines at bay. Just pat it in with your ring finger, and make sure you leave time for it to sink into the skin.
Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream, $26.50, available at Sephora.
Get Diligent About SPF The biggest no-brainer, though, is starting to use SPF, ASAP. “Daily sun protection will go a very long way in terms of preventing the signs of aging,” Hirons says. Dr. Lancer notes: “You should be using [SPF] 15 to 30, because much more than that is [just] marketing. Just make sure to apply it liberally — that’s the one mistake a lot of my patients make with sunscreens." We love this all-natural wonder from Canada.
Consonant, $45, available at ConsonantPhoto: Via Consonant.
Get to Know Antioxidants “There’s a huge lifestyle component to skin care,” says Dr. Lancer. "At this age, you’re wolfing down your lunch, going to parties, imbibing too much alcohol, and being surrounded by tobacco products. That’s why antioxidants are key.” You can only counteract the damage done by living la vida Lohan with the proper cocktail of ingredients, which helps ward off environmental stressors. This daily cream does the trick without being too heavy.
When you’re applying it, says Hirons, be sure to save some for the neck and décolletage. “Americans are the only people who think the face stops at the chin,” she says. Save yourself from a future of turtlenecks by spreading the love.
Try a Facial Oil Oils are the true gold standard of skin care, mostly because they contain potent ingredients and optimum moisturizing properties. “The right oil can also help mend acne scars and breakouts,” Hirons says. Sunday Riley’s blends might put a dent in your savings account, but you can practically feel them transforming your skin as you smooth them on. (Or maybe it’s just the placebo effect that comes with applying something so rich and lovely — it works either way.)
Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, $90, available at Dermstore.
Or Try...
This blend of brown algae extract, camellia seed oil, and botanical extracts promises to give you a glow.
Tata Harper Beautifying Face Oil, $68, available at Sephora.
The vitamin C and marula oil in this formula will keep your complexion bright and fresh.
Nyakio Marula & Neroli Brightening Oil, $42, available at Ulta.
Get to Know Glycolic Acid Renowned for both its resurfacing and purifying properties, glycolic acid helps regenerate the skin and treat pesky acne and blackheads. “It will also help with pore size and improve overall skin texture,” Vargas says. The best part? It comes from all sorts of delightful, naturally-sourced ingredients, so you can feel good about using it. (Yup, raspberries can help you battle wrinkles!) Start by using this product only on the nights you exfoliate, and then build your way up to once a night. You'll wake up with a glowing, polished visage.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $90, available at Sephora.
The Mid-20s Okay, so you’ve built the foundation for good skin. Congratulations! Now, it’s time to start getting a little more serious. Twenty-five is, in the beauty world, a tipping point: “By age 25, the skin has decelerated its repair mechanisms, and that affects your entire body,” says Dr. Lancer. This is also when you can accurately evaluate what damage has been caused — and, with the help of a dermatologist, plan how to treat it. “Everybody should be seeing a board-certified dermatologist at least once a year by this point in their life,” says Vargas. Together, you and your derm can discuss concerns like hyperpigmentation or hormonal acne. At the quarter-century mark, you should allow for splurges now and then, which means one thing: “Monthly facials are essential for detoxing the pores and doing a mini-peel,” Vargas says. “You should also look for a service that provides oxygen for the skin, which promotes healing.” And, this is just the beginning.
Keep Your Cleanser, But Upgrade Your Scrub “The ‘no pain, no gain’ rule also applies to skin,” insists Dr. Lancer, whose Polish exfoliant is beloved by Victoria Beckham. “By your mid-20s, your skin is more like a couch potato: It has potential, but it’s lazy. This will help get it up and running." Try using this three times a week before bed in order to super-charge the rest of your routine. (There’s a formula for blemish-prone skin, too.)
As for the rest of your regimen? Make sure to maintain the nightly double-cleansing, the daily SPF, the eye cream, your oil, and your antioxidant moisturizer.
Lancer Skincare, $75, available at NordstromPhoto: Via Lancer.
Upgrade Your Serum If you've ever wondered what the difference is between moisturizer and serum — or if there is one at all — here's your answer. “Moisturizer is for skin type, but serum is for skin condition,” explains Hirons. That means it's time to target whatever's given you complexion trouble with pumped-up ingredients, both in the morning and at night. Her recommendation? “Alpha-hydroxy acids will help to dry up hormonal breakouts and lightly exfoliate."
“Antioxidants, like vitamin C, will help to protect and brighten spots and acne scars," Hirons adds. We love Eminence Organics Citrus Kale Potent C+E Serum for brightening and helping to strengthen skin. Not stressing over anything in particular? Keep clicking.
Éminence Organics Citrus Kale Potent C+E Serum, $110, available at Dermstore.
Even if fading dark spots and fending off acne aren’t at the top of your to-do list, you’re still not off the hook. Skipping serum means missing out on a great opportunity to infuse your skin with potent active ingredients, like damage-repairing antioxidants, collagen-boosting vitamin C, and radiance-enhancing vitamin E in this does-it-all formulation.
Caudalie Vine[Activ] Glow Activating Anti-Wrinkle Serum, $52, available at Sephora.
This radiance-boosting cocktail of antioxidants and hyaluronic acid will perk up a stress, tired complexion (so... everyone's) in a pinch.
Joanna Vargas Skincare Daily Serum, $85, available at Nordstrom.
This vitamin C-packed serum gives such a good glow, you don't even need highlighter.
DermHA* Acne Skin Brightening Serum, $48, available at dermHA*.
Update Your Toner You let go of the alcohol-based acne toners for a few years, but now you need to get serious. “Acid toning is essential, because it gives you a gentle, mild exfoliation,” Hirons says. This product, known among beauty junkies simply as “P50,” is what Hirons calls “the Rolls-Royce of toners.” She says to use it nightly, but we suggest easing into it: For the first few times, it tingles and stings, and might leave you a little pink. (It gets better — promise!) The reason? It has a high AHA content, which regulates oil production and maintains the skin’s pH level for a balanced, even complexion.
Biologique Recherche, $57, available at Rescue SpaPhoto: Via Biologique Recherche.
Update Your Masks Now’s the time to invest in an anti-aging treatment. But, is there one that can also help with pimples, just in case? “I’m a huge fan of lactic acid because it lightly exfoliates, but also minimizes the pores,” Vargas says. Her Exfoliating Mask (shown here) is a soon-to-be cult beauty product, beloved by her celebrity clients (and this writer). “It’s gentle enough that you can put it under your eyes for a quick pick-me-up,” she says. “Or, you can sleep with it on blemishes to treat them overnight.”
Photo: Via Joanna Vargas.
Add Night Cream The days of one moisturizer are over: You have officially joined the legions of women who use night cream. “Sleep is an important time for the skin,” Vargas says. This is especially true if you’re using products like Polish and P50 — you'll need a healthy dose of moisture before bed when active ingredients are at play. “You can use just your facial oil, or you can put on a night cream and then an oil, depending on your skin type,” Hirons suggests. “But, start with something light, and avoid anything with shea butter — this one is gentle enough for daily use.”
Kate Somerville, $20, available at Kate SomervillePhoto: Via Kate Somerville.
This overnight mask tightens skin as you sleep and drenches it with moisture, so you'll wake up looking a little more contoured than usual, and feeling a whole lot softer.
Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask, $92, available at Sephora.
The Late 20s “By 29, you really need to get serious about stuff,” says Vargas. “Your skin goes through a complete transformation between the ages of 22 and 29. Your body’s ability to produce new skin cells slows down completely.” Look at your late 20s as an opportunity to really crack the whip on your complexion before the big 3-0: You can start using retinol, learn that “plump” is a good thing when it comes to your skin, and learn how to protect your skin barrier in a major way. All of this hard work will hopefully delay the need for more serious things, like Retin-A and chemical peels, until they’re absolutely necessary. You should, however, see a facialist once a month for a peel and an LED light treatment, which will help maintain your skin's texture.
Update Your Cleanser (Again), Exfoliate Daily We know: It’s the millionth time you’ll have done this in a decade, but a cleansing balm is totally worth it. “They destroy makeup without being stripping, and they still leave the skin feeling soft and supple,” Hirons says. She loves this one for an ultra-nourishing feel. But, if you're combination, you might prefer Nude's Cleansing Jelly, which is safe for eyes and face.
Unless you have sensitive skin, you should also try exfoliating every night. But, choose a cleanser-scrub hybrid, and save the Polish for the days in-between. Try Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser.
Sarah Chapman, $75, available at Bloomingdale'sPhoto: Via Sarah Chapman.
Tone More, Hydrate Smarter Chances are, you’ve already interacted with hyaluronic acid during your skin journey. But, now it’s time to start using it regularly. The ingredient is well-known for its instant plumping effects. “It basically supercharges your moisturizer,” Hirons says. This is particularly important because you should, by now, be using acid toner both day and night to help regenerate your skin. “The hyaluronic acid will supercharge your moisturizer, protecting the skin’s barrier,” Hirons says. (It also makes applying makeup a total dream.)
Indeed Labs, $36.99, available at AmazonPhoto: Via Indeed Labs.
Start Using Retinol, Keep Your Serum “The king of all antioxidants is vitamin A, which is where prescription Retin-A comes from,” says Dr. Lancer. “It’s critically important, because products with retinoid acid reorganize the process known as keratinization, or the way the skin repairs and replaces itself.” But, as Vargas cautions, it can cause irritation among more sensitive types. So, try using this a few times a week before bed, and absolutely do not forget SPF the morning after. This is more of a precautionary method: Hirons says retinol isn’t really necessary until after age 30, but it can’t hurt to start a mild version (like this one) before then. To complement it, stick to your regular daily serum.
Arcona, $68, available at ArconaPhoto: Via Arcona.
The Ordinary's retinol-packed formula fights early signs of early aging with less irritation. Plus, check out the price tag.
The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid, $10.50, available at Asos.
Update Your Eye Cream It’s also time to get serious about treating eye wrinkles to prevent crow’s feet. “Vitamin C is a massively important antioxidant that gives advanced environmental protection,” Hirons says. Caudalie’s lightweight formula is jam-packed with the stuff — plus, it's gentle enough to use day and night.
Caudalie, $49, available at CaudaliePhoto: Via Caudalie.
If you're tired of waking up to puffy eyes and dark circles, dab on a bit of this eye cream every night so your under-eyes look well-rested and bright.
RoC Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Eye Cream, $15.79, available at Target.
Update Your Face Oil If your blackheads and acne are finally calming down, it’s wise to start experimenting with a different facial oil for twice-daily use. “Put it on over your night cream if you're dry,” Hirons suggests. This Rodin product is a rich — and fragrant — blend of 11 essential oils. (Bonus tip: Smooth one drop over your complexion before applying foundation, and you'll glow like a lightbulb.)
Rodin Jasmine Neroli Face Oil, $170, available at Rodin.
Photo: Via Rodin.
Update Your Night Cream This liquid acts immediately, forming a cushion that protects the skin barrier from water loss. It'll serve as the ultimate soothing tool on your retinol days.
Want to get your hands on these pro-approved beauty buys? We've partnered with Birchbox to bring you the products we love on Birchbox. Click on over to snag them for yourself and learn what our editors are crazy about right now.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid, $39, available at Birchbox.
Photo: Via Ceramidin.
If Urban Skin Rx's name looks familiar, it's because you've likely seen it on the Instagram accounts of Teyana Taylor, Fantasia, and more. The brand was founded by licensed aesthetician Rachel Roff and uses plenty of ingredients like kojic and azelaic acids, which help with hyperpigmentation. "When we get samples, my staffers of all ethnicities try the products," she tells us. "That’s how we see what works and what doesn’t work, rather than participating in some 50 patient case study [of predominantly white women]."
Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Night Treatment, $68, available at Urban Skin Rx.
The Early 30s You’ve made it. “By the time you’ve reached 30, your routine should really switch over to all anti-aging products,” Hirons says. “In this decade, things just slow down. I like to tell people that your body goes on a little holiday and then comes back! You laugh now, but by your 40s, it goes away — and you wonder if it’s ever returning!”
But, a whole lot of this is skin sensationalism: Being 30 means your skin is still at its prime, especially if you’ve been vigilant about daily SPF and proper cleansing. Still, it’s time to consult your dermatologist about facials — or possibly even twice-yearly acid-based peeling. (Only if necessary!) “If hyperpigmentation is a concern, you may want to look into light-resurfacing procedures with low-energy lasers twice to three times a year,” Dr. Lancer suggests.
If your skin’s in tip-top shape, all you need are a couple of upgrades to what you’re already doing. But, the pros caution, you should reconsider other things, like lifestyle choices: Think hard about forsaking cigarettes forever, limiting your alcohol intake, and curbing how much processed sugar you eat. “We look at women in Hollywood who have aged very well, [and] these people don’t have any caffeine or added salt, and their carb intake is low," Dr. Lancer says. "They’re proof that anti-aging really needs a multi-pronged approach."
Upgrade Your Retinol This is a good age to start using Vitamin A daily, and you’ll want a more intense formula to get your glow going. “You should be using a product that contains 1% retinol,” Dr. Lancer says. “Anything more than that can be found in prescription Retin-A, which is more of a corrective treatment than a preventative one.” Use it before your bedtime moisturizer, so your skin has time to heal itself in case redness occurs. Consider daily polishing, too — morning and night, if your complexion can handle it.
SkinCeuticals, $63, available at SkinCeuticalsPhoto: Via Skinceuticals.
Invest In a Serum Unfortunately, the more advanced skin care becomes, the more it costs. And, since serums deliver all the good stuff in the most essential, concentrated method, you might want to start considering formulas that are priced beyond what you’re used to spending. It boils down to this: If you splurge on one thing in your routine, let it be serum. Tata Harper’s range is spectacular, because it targets different concerns (lifting and firming, plumping, brightening) in formulas that are lightweight enough to use daily — even if you still get the occasional breakout. You should, however, still keep your hyaluronic-acid moisturizer and facial oils handy. (And, never forget SPF!)
Tata Harper, $185, available at Tata HarperPhoto: Via Tata Harper.
Update Your Eye Cream Getting religious about eye cream will also go a long way: one for day and one for night is best. AmorePacific’s duo is genius: The day version has SPF, so you’re protecting while hydrating. Meanwhile, the night formula increases turnover and restores collagen.
Amorepacific, $150, available at AmorepacificPhoto: Via AmorePacific.
Update Your Night Cream Hirons says to avoid shea butters in your 20s. But, in your 30s: “You want something rich to sleep in.” If you massage a mask into your skin before bedtime, it'll go to work long after the label-suggested 10 minutes, which means you’ll wake up with refreshed and restored skin. Look for treatments labeled “healing,” since your routine now has a plethora of active ingredients at work. To put it simply: Serums and retinol deliver the good stuff, and moisturizer acts as a cushion. (Just consider this the most luxurious cushion ever.)
Chantecaille, $79, available at NordstromPhoto: Via Chantecaille.
Update Your Masks Sheet masks are, essentially, thin paper cloths that have been soaked in serum. This one, which is doused in retinol, would be ideal to adapt into your routine on a weekly basis. Try it before bed, massage the excess into your skin and down the décolletage, and follow with a facial oil or your night cream.
Shiseido, $63, available at NordstromPhoto: Via Shiseido.
Invest In A Neck & Décolleté Cream At this point, you know the importance of potent creams, serums, and masks, but you likely haven't given much attention to your neck and chest. “Many women in their twenties and thirties are using expensive face creams and coming in regularly for face-focused tweaks, but very few think to take care of their necks before 40,” says Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a dermatologist in New York City.
To keep the thin skin supple and youthful-looking, reach for a treatment targeted to the area and containing ingredients like glycolic acid, calcium, and amino acids.
Dr. Brandt Do Not Age Firming Neck Cream, $67, available at Sephora.
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The trusted dentist’s recommendation is classic canon in the toothpaste ad sales game. Sometimes, a voiceover tells us that nine out of 10 dentists prefer a certain toothpaste. Other times, a white-coated “dentist” (who may or may not be an actor) explains why a particular paste is the only one good enough for his or her own teeth. Either way, we never really know what dentists like best. It’s a worthy question that we even neglect to ask at our own dental appointments, as we become so overwhelmed by what’s about to go down in the chair that all logical inquiries go out the window.
In order to get to the bottom of what should be a NBD question once and for all, we’ve asked top dentists to share their top pick for whitening toothpastes. As it turns out, deciding factors boil down to much more than optimal minty freshness or even overall tooth whitening ability. Like with most beauty products, texture, ingredients, and technology play a big part. Ahead, see what celebrity dentists really use to magnify pearly whites.
New York-based dentist and RealSelf contributor Victoria Veytsman, DDS, calls this paste her “go to,” and says she’s noticed a difference in the brightness of her own teeth since using it. “It's removes about 90-95% of enamel stains within a couple of days and is gentle on teeth,” says the cosmetic dentist behind Karlie Kloss, Dascha Polanco, and Danielle Brooks’ smiles. “It has fluoride, so it protects against cavities and it tastes great.”
Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Whitening Toothpaste, $4.79, available at Walgreens.
Don’t have time for an intensive at-home whitening treatment? Brian Kantor, DDS, a New York-based cosmetic dentist at Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor, who treats stars like Penelope Cruz and 50 Cent, suggests this toothpaste for brightening on the quick. “This toothpaste will make teeth appear brighter instantly. It contains Bluverite® technology, which deposits blue microparticles onto teeth and creates the optical illusion of whiter teeth. As with all other whitening toothpastes, it removes surface stains on the teeth and makes teeth appear whiter than they originally were,” he says.
Luster Premium White Luster Now! Instant Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste, $8, available at Luster Premium White.
It may look like Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Karlie Kloss (yes, the supermodel sees multiple teeth pros) were born with perfect pearly whites, but part of their camera-ready smiles are due to the handiwork of Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist Kevin Sands, DDS. When it comes to whitening teeth while brushing, he turns products in the Crest 3D White line because, “it shows results with almost no patients complaining about sensitivity.”
Crest 3D White Whitening Toothpaste, $4.49, available at Target.
Carly LeVine, DDS, has exactly the kind of A-list clientele one might imagine from a dentist who practices in the wealthy neighborhood of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, though she’s careful to protect the privacy of her patients. Luckily, she’s more loose-lipped when it comes to sharing her prime pick for whitening toothpastes. Her first suggestion? Don’t get fooled by shiny packaging. “Most whitening toothpastes use abrasive particles to scrub off stains and ultimately damage the enamel,” she says. “This is my favorite toothpaste because it is low in abrasiveness.”
Rembrandt Deeply White Fresh Mint Peroxide Fluoride Toothpaste, $6, available at Target.
Michael Apa, DDS, a New York-based dentist who treats celebrities like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Lea Michele, and Chloë Sevigny, wasn’t thrilled with the whitening toothpastes on the market, so he developed his own. “It's super thick and rich and, for me, texture matters,” he said. The formula also contains micro hydroxyapatite in lieu of fluoride, to strengthen teeth. “Hydroxyapatite is what teeth are made of. The raw ingredient is mixed into the rich paste to re-mineralize and scrub away stains for a gentle whitening effect. It also tastes like a candy cane, so that's always good.”
Apa Beauty White Toothpaste, $25, available at Apa Beauty.
"Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste is multitasking," Dr. Veytsman says. "It has great flavor, it's non-abrasive, anti-cavity, removes stains, and it has fluoride. If you have sensitive teeth, there is also a sensitive version available."
Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste, $22.99 for original or 24.99 sensitivity relief, available at Opalescence.
"This is new-to-market [toothpaste] fights cavities and tartar, and remineralizes enamel," Dr. Veytsman notes.
This Tom's of Maine toothpaste helps get your teeth pearly white without using bleaching chemicals. The results may not be instant or dramatic, but its multitasking ability will make you — and your dentist — happy.
Tom's of Maine Simply White Natural Fluoride Toothpaste, $5.99, available at Walgreens.
Popwhite works like color-correcting shampoo: its "extraordinary purple formula," which includes xylitol, coconut oil, and peppermint oil cancels out yellow hues.
Popwhite Whitening Primer + Toothpaste, $24, available at Popwhite.
Move over, regular toothpaste: Charcoal-infused toothpaste is here, and it’s perfect for whitening your teeth while also staining your bathroom sink beyond repair. All jokes aside, this formula promises to remove discoloration without harsh bleaching ingredients.
Curaprox Black Is White Toothpaste, $29.99, available at Curaprox.
Imported from Italy, this low-key dental brand offers a host of different flavored toothpastes, all available at Sephora — this whitening variety is top-rated.
Marvis Whitening Mint Toothpaste, $13.50, available at Sephora.
You've probably seen this vibrant red box in the aisles of your favorite grocery store — and we're here to attest to the fact that it actually works. If you use this toothpaste regularly, you'll see whiter teeth over time, sans that annoying hypersensitivity that comes with some whitening treatments.
Colgate Optic White Sparkling Mint Toothpaste, $8.12, available at Walmart.
Teeth too sensitive for hardcore whitening treatments? Sensodyne’s gentle formula prevents gum and tooth pain and helps removes stains better than any other sensitive option on the market.
Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste, $5.49, available at Target.
We've all heard that baking soda can help lift tooth stains, but you don't need to DIY your own treatment. Cosmetic dentist Dr. Neil Hadaegh recommends this cheap, peroxide-infused paste from Arm & Hammer.
Arm & Hammer Advance White Extreme Whitening Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste, $5.99 for 2, available at Target.
This whitening toothpaste is super gentle, free of any peroxides or artificial additives, and vegan and cruelty-free. It's the kind of toothpaste you can feel good about buying — plus, it makes your teeth sparkle. Win-win.
Hello Oral Care Extra Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste, $4.99, available at Target.
The Bluverite technology in this formula is like FaceTune in a tube: it helps create the effect of whiter teeth in one brushing.
Luster Now! Instant Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste, $7.99, available at Luster Premium White.
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Sure, a new pair of shoes or an It bag is nice, but many of us are more wiling to shell out a chunk of our paychecks for quality skin care, all in the name of #iwokeuplikethis status. That said, there are a myriad of things in the way of finding a complexion potion that’ll actually lead you on a path to improving your biggest skin-care issues. Namely, lots of confusing marketing jargon, and campaigns that promise flawless complexions, but don’t always deliver.
The pattern seems to go like this: The more effective a product claims to be, the more dollar signs are involved. Serums are some of the most spendy, since time and time again they prove to be the most important part of your routine, as they oft pack the most active ingredient and go on first, allowing them to soak in and do the most good.
Naturally, it takes a lot of sussing out to figure out which serums are worth the splurge. To cut through the BS, we consulted top dermatologists for direct recommendations. These serums get the clinical green light, and while their campaigns and packaging might be less sexy than your pretty vials or countless bottles of fancy face oil, we have to ask: What’s fancier than a flawless face? That's kind of the whole point, anyway.
Ahead, the serums that top dermatologists call the most effective — and recommend to their own patients — all organized by skin-care concern.
Chronically dry skin needs more than just the shellac of a thick moisturizer to actually solve the problem — and not just treat the symptoms. One of the top ingredients to do that is hyaluronic acid.
“What’s great about [hyaluronic acid] is that it doesn’t feel like a heavy moisturizer, but it does the work of one,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, director of dermatologic surgery and laser medicine at Metropolitan Hospital.
“Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture by binding water molecules, holding 1,000 times its weight.” Dr. Engelman recommends this serum from Derm Institute for its hydrating abilities, as well as for its ability to repair and protect, thanks to a ceramide complex, vitamins, and antioxidants, which plump fine lines and combat free radicals from environmental damage.
Derm Institute Antioxidant Hydration Serum, $120, available Derm Institute.
Another formula that serves up hyaluronic acid is this HylaSilk Serum from Priyana MD. Dr. Barry Resnik, MD, Founder of Resnik Skin Institue in Miami, recommends it not only for the HA, but also the formula’s niacinamide, a brightening ingredient that helps address uneven pigmentation. Bonus: Peptides in the formula give this serum a boost in both hydrating and anti-aging efforts, like promoting collagen and elasticity.
This more-affordable alternative is great for both sensitive and dry skin. The serum contains hyaluronic acid, as Dr. Engelman recommends, but it also has colloidal oatmeal, peptides, collagen, and aloe. All of these ingredients work together to help to calm irritated skin
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum, $36, available at Sephora.
With 2% of hyaluronic acid — in three different weights — packed into this $7 bottle, this serum will leave your skin softer than ever.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $6.80, available at Sephora.
Skin Concern: Uneven Pigmentation and/or Dullness
Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a cosmetic dermatologist, touts resveratrol and vitamin C as your best weapons against pigmentation issues, mainly uneven texture or dullness in skin.
“Resveratrol is the strongest natural antioxidant that reduces [uneven] pigmentation and protects the skin from further free radical damage,” Dr. Frank explains. He couples that with a disclaimer that, “there’s no magic ingredient to make [uneven pigmentation] disappear quickly, as the body continues to make the enzyme that stimulates the production of melanin.”
He recommended this night serum from Skinceuticals, since it not only keeps pigmentation in check, it also firms the skin and corrects fine lines. “[It’s] cosmetically elegant and absorbs very well, giving the skin a nice glow,” he says.
Skinceuticals Resveratrol B E, $152, available at Skinceuticals.
This Skinceuticals serum gets a thumbs-up from a handful of the derms we spoke with, including Dr. Engelman, Dr. Frank, and Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi. Pigmentation can come from lifestyle habits like too much sun exposure, smoking, picking at your blemishes, and even genetic predispositions. But the L-ascorbic acid (a highly effective form of vitamin C) is not only great for brightening, it also “contains powerful antioxidants that fight and reverse damage from free radicals that wreck your skin cells,” Dr. Engelman concludes.
Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and assistant clinical professor, department of dermatology, at the George Washington University Medical Center, cautions against reaching for a one-serum-fits-all product. “Serums are best used for targeted problems," she notes. It’s best to look for stable packaging, as many serums contain antioxidants that are light-sensitive. (This formula is packed in a dark bottle to help combat this.)
“Not all vitamin C serums are equal or effective,” Dr. Frank chimes in. “The addition of the ferulic acid in this product helps to stabilize the efficacy of the vitamin C.”
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum, $162, available at Skinceuticals.
Dr. Jessica Weiser of the New York Dermatology Group recommends Colbert MD’s Stimulate Serum to brighten and enliven skin. “This serum contains glycolic acid and antioxidants, in addition to the anti-inflammatory healing herb, gotu kola,” Dr. Weiser explains. “It helps to promote collagen production while simultaneously brightening the skin and reversing signs of free radical damage.”
Those with sensitive skin will appreciate the anti-inflammatory protection of gotu kola, but if you’ve got an aversion to silicones, just note that this one contains dimethicone, so steer clear.
Colbert MD Stimulate Serum, $160, available at Colbert MD.
Any product with vitamin E acts like your own inner ring lighting.
Specific Beauty Intensive Skin Brightening Serum, $50, available at Specific Beauty.
Skin Concern: Anti-aging
This drugstore pick from Dr. Valerie Goldburt proves that great serums don’t have to cost an arm and a leg (but still may be more $$ than other drugstore skin-care products).“My favorite is the Olay Regenerist serum with peptides. It's a low price point compared to the department store equivalent and actually has benefits for the appearance of fine lines,” Dr. Goldburt says.
The amino peptide complex and vitamin B3 in this formula are wrinkle-smoothers, while the rest of the formula works to deeply hydrate your skin, so you get renewed surface cells with increased elasticity and plumpness, she says.
Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum, $24.99, available at Olay.
If you aren’t sure where to start with serums, but you know your skin could just a magic “enhance” button, this NuGene Universal Serum comes recommended from Dr. Engelman for evening skin texture and tone, all while boosting hydration.
“Ultimately, great skin is hydrated, free of dead skin and impurities, and even-toned,” Dr. Engelman says. The road to great skin starts with exfoliation, but Engelman touts this serum, which contains a few heavy-hitters, like human adipose derived stem cell conditioned media, polypeptides, and amino acids, for a bit of help in that department.
NuGene Universal Serum, $300, available at NuGene.
The most effective way to shield your skin from the signs of aging is protection — but you already knew that. However, you can accomplish this with more than just SPF. Serums containing ceramides, like this one from Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage line, help strengthen skin cells to keep up the repairing and renewing possible when skin is protected.
This serum is also on Dr. Engelman’s top-shelf list.“Serums with retinol help with cell repair and renewal. Retinols are a good ingredient for acne (generally of the cystic kind), but also plumping up fine lines and wrinkles." This serum relies on something called advanced Idebenone technology, which tops the list of powerful antioxidants for the most protection and repair of your skin.
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum, $162, available at Elizabeth Arden.
With powerhouse antioxidants like vitamin C, aloe juice, and green tea extracts, this serum fights everything from dark spots to acne scars. Even better, people with acne-prone skin will notice a huge decrease in weekly breakouts.
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, $48, available at Sephora.
Skin Concern: Acne
When you think about well-known anti-aging ingredients, you probably reach for the retinols. This serum is good starter option since it contains a mild 0.2% (to avoid that sometimes red, chemical-burn complexion upon first smear), but Dr. Barry Resnik actually recommends this one for treating acne and rosacea, since it uses caffeine, which helps constrict blood vessels, and 90% green tea polyphenols to neutralize free radicals and give your radiance a leg-up. It’s super lightweight, making it perfect for oily or combination skin types.
Replenix All-trans Retinol Smoothing Serum 2X, $58.80, available at Dermstore.
Keeping acneic skin calm and breakout-free requires a delicate balance, since you don’t want to further clog already-congested pores, but you also don’t want to dry skin out to the point of a flaky mess. One serum that has both fronts covered comes from iS Clinical.
The Dr. Tanzi-recommended Its Active Serum, which works for all skin types, is super lightweight, with gentle exfoliators like sugar cane extract, white willow bark extract, and bilberry extract to gently remove dead skin cells. Arbutin and mushroom extract help reduce hyperpigmentation, too.
iSClinical Active Serum, $130, available at Dermstore.
If you’re on the long road out of acne town, you’re probably hoping to treat existing breakouts and make pigmentation from past acne scars disappear. A serum with L-ascorbic acid, as well as plenty of soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients, is what you should look for. Dr. Engelman highlights iS Clinical’s Pro-Heal Serum Advance for this express purpose, since it contains plenty of gentle botanical ingredients like olive leaf extract, plus retinols and vitamin E to combat your acne (and fine lines) with plenty of antioxidants.
iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance, $142, available at Dermstore.
When it comes to picking a serum that will work, Dr. Engelman advises looking at the ingredient ranking. “A red flag for me is when I look at their ingredient list and the active ingredient is at the end, which means the concentration is very little and therefore may not be at its most effective point.”
So, if you’re looking to zap breakouts, make sure those ingredients (i.e., retinols, AHAs, and vitamin C) are near the top, followed by the rest of the supporting cast.
Dr. Brandt Skincare 2% Retinol Complex Serum, $69, available at Sephora.
Looking for a more budget-friendly choice that’s packed with acne-fighting, anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing ingredients? This luxurious oil uses skin-protecting squalane, vitamin C, and rose extract to fight free radicals and impart a healthy glow.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, $72, available at Sephora.
R29 beauty writer Mi-Anne Chan says that this serum, with glycolic acid, gave her smoother skin, fewer breakouts, and reduced scarring after two months of use.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $90, available at Sephora.
According to Dr. Alexander Rivkin, a Los Angeles-based cosmetic surgeon, those with blemish-prone skin should look for a serum that exfoliates and hydrates. “Drying out acne-prone skin will only make your skin produce more oil,” Rivkin explains. He recommends this serum, which contains glycolic and salicylic acids, plus glycerin for hydration.
Meet the remedy to all your congested skin problems. The powerful blend of lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids de-gunk clogged pores with a lightweight formula that can be worn day or night. Bonus: You'll see results after one use.
Renée Rouleau BHA Clarifying Serum, $48.50, available at Renée Rouleau.
With 1.5% of bacteria-fighting salicylic acid, this face oil was formulated specifically to keep acne away. Ingredients like milk thistle and cucumber seed oil ensure you never have to deal with dryness or irritation.
Sunday Riley U.F.O Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, $80, available at Sephora
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2017's biggest hair color trends were not at all what we expected. Blame America's latest obsession with the Danish concept of hygge, because this year was all about warmth and comfort, with soft coppers, rich browns, buttery blonds, and creamy oranges poised to take the hair world by storm.
Even Riawna Capri — the colorist who keeps Jennifer Lawrence and Julianne Hough in icy platinum shades — told us that the looks were far from cool. "Out with the ice and in with the warmth!" she says, "2017 is going to bring back the sun, with golds, bronzes, and buttery tones!" Her partner in L.A.'s Nine Zero One salon, Nikki Lee added: "The big one this year is going to be red!"
Cherin Choi, DTLA's resident cool-girl colorist agrees, calling out a "light, golden toffee blond" as one of her top looks of the year. Meanwhile, NYC's "in-the-know" salon/studio hybrid Hairstory is cranking out sunset-peach hair like we've never seen before.
So cozy up and click ahead for plenty of inspiration — and the details your colorist needs to get you the exact looks.
This story was originally published on January 20, 2017 and has been updated to reflect this growing trend.
"Aubrown" A mix between auburn and brown, this hue is rich, luxe, and unapologetic glossy. Think of it as a deep and inky take on bronze — with a kiss from auburn. Okay, that was cheesy, but this color isn't. This beauty was done by Chris Greene, a colorist at Meche in L.A.
Photo: Courtesy of Meche.
A touch richer, with more red tones, this enviable hue was done by Christine Silverman. She calls it a "cinnamon fade" and created it in one step by warming up old highlights with an earthy red gloss.
Lee is responsible for this take, a slightly cooler — but still neutral in tone — version of aubrown. It's perfect for those with dark hair that can't be bothered with touch-ups.
Photo: Courtesy of Nine Zero One.
Holli, a hairstylist in Houston, created this look by "applying her base (Goldwell Top Chic 10ml 5N 30ml 5B 20vol), Bbalayaging the ends and lifting them to a perfect level 7, then toning the ends with Goldwell Colorance 6RB = 7RB," according to her Instagram caption.
Photo: Via @holli.htx.hair.
Sun-Kissed Cinnamon Not to be cheesy, but there's a tone trend brewing that we can't help but describe as a "kiss of cinnamon." It's a deliberately warm and brassy take on highlights that's, well, the exact color of the popular spice.
L.A. colorist Cassondra Kaeding describes this look as a "dark, golden cinnamon blonde." To get the color from your stylist, ask for a mix of gold and copper with a pinch of red, she says. "This color is great for almost all complexions. If you love this color, but are worried that your skin tone is too warm, just add a shadow of a deeper root."
Warm and soft, this shade of cinnamon will grow out beautifully — with no commitment — on deep brown hair.
Looking for major dimension? Go several shades lighter and keep the color on just the ends. This look is best achieved through hand painting or the tease-then-color technique used to ombré hair (your colorist will understand the references).
Bored of one-dimensional blond but don't want to go too much darker? Go for an infusion of warm cinnamon lowlights for major depth.
@colorbycourtneygnas
When it comes to subtle hair color, Kara Richard knows her stuff. The owner of Summerland Salon and Spa in Santa Barbara has the kind of Instagram that feels like balayage porn.
"Deep and spicy auburn hair color serving warmth on cooler days," Choi described of her dye job: rooted red.
Photo: Via @mizzchoi.
Buttery Blondee 'It' blond colorist Kari Hill crafted this golden, buttery hue — a perfect upgrade for anyone looking to warm up their blond while maintaining natural-looking color.
Photo: Courtesy of Kari Hill.
This buttery shade of blond — done in a bleach-and tone style normally reserved for white-hot platinum — is a fresh update to one-color hair. L.A. colorist Daniel Moon toned the hair warmer for the modern update.
Finland-based hairstylist Sofi added some warmth to the roots, which allowed this otherwise sandy hair color to look completely natural.
At Meche Salon in L.A., colorist Sarah Conner created this gorgeous warm blond, complete with a smudge of brown at the roots to make the grow-out process even easier.
Photo: mechesalonla/Instagram.
Celebrity hairstylist Riawna Capri recently added LeAnn Rimes soft blond highlights to the top layer of hair, while leaving the roots and under layers a little darker to keep it as natural-looking as possible.
@riawna
Toffee Get comfortable, because bronde is here to stay — but the newest versions are richer, with caramel tones and a warm, almost auburn base. Here, Florido (yes, that's Justin Beiber's mane man) crafted this enviable look.
Photo: Courtesy of @florido.
Celebrity hairstylist Marcia Hamilton describes this tone as somewhere between caramel and toffee. No matter what sweet superlative you prefer, there's no denying that it's insanely flattering on medium or dark complexions, like her client Tinashe.
Choi calls this one "light, golden-toffee blond ends over natural auburn hair" — the perfect example of an on-trend take on bronde.
Photo: Courtesy of Cherin Choi.
L.A. colorist and stylist Shai Amiel turned a color correction into the perfect example of toffee — warm and rich, with buttery notes placed just at the ends. The result is a sweet take on a trend that grows out with ease.
Photo: Courtesy of Capella Salon.
Earthy, yet sun-kissed, this flattering shade of toffee works as well in spring as it does in fall.
Blorange You already know about blorange — the cheeky mix of orange and blond that's been sweeping Instagram. Is it really that different from rosé hair? Depends on who you ask, we suppose. But we especially love this sombré take from Spoke & Weal colorist Glen Coco Oropeza.
Photo: Courtesy of Spoke & Weal.
This washed-out orange look by colorist Tasha Spencer leaves plenty of room for visible roots.
Hairstory has been the leader in churning out the cool orange hue. We love this version shown, but there are tons more options here (for the edgier set) and here (for those with a corporate day job).
Photo: Courtesy of Hairstory.
We're partial to this vibrant, classic take on peach-meets-pink hair, from Australia's trendsetting salon The Fox & The Hair.
But if you're looking for something a little softer, try this soft peach Balayage from stylist Elisa Luomala in Finland.
Photo: Via @hairbyelisajohanna.
There's something almost gilded about the way that the pink and orange fuse together in these curls.
@aydanwallis
Organic Reds Sit back and wait for the reds to roll out — because everyone's talking about them this season. This iteration is everything we want: vibrant but natural looking, and super shiny with tons of dimension. Let's hope they all look as good as this version, created by Abby Andree.
Photo: Courtesy of @abbyandree.
Nine Zero One colorist Tabitha Dueñas calls this look "bronzed copper" — and we call it downright gorgeous. Into red that still works for every part of your life, including an office job? Bring this picture to your stylist.
Photo: Courtesy of Nine Zero One.
Take your natural brown up a notch with a little red infusion to the ends. It adds dimension and looks killer in the sunlight.
@janijack10
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You always want what you can’t have — especially when it comes to beauty products. That’s why we’re getting the inside scoop from your favorite retailers on what’s selling out right now, how to sign up for waitlists, and where to go to find the next best thing. Because if everyone’s buying it, you know it’s got to be good.
These days, holographic makeup is hard to avoid. Type the h-word into Sephora's search engine and feast your eyes on the whopping 71 different products that pop up. Clearly the trend has staying power, because after months of beauty industry domination, brands are still coming out with holographic highlighters, eyeshadows, eyeliners, and lip glosses. The latest? Nyx's Holographic Halo Cream Eyeliner, which is completely sold out at Ulta Beauty.
The pigmented eyeliners are the newest members of Nyx's impressive holographic family. The potted creams come in five duo-chrome shades that range from metallic bronze to frosty pink and work as liner if you use an angled brush, shadow if you use your fingers.
Sadly, Ulta Beauty's stock of the item has been wiped clean, but Nyx's website still has some available. But in case you miss your chance to buy, or simply want to try something new, we've rounded up our favorite duo-chrome and holo eye products in the slides ahead.
We love Anastasia Beverly Hills' single eyeshadows for a myriad of reasons: They're pigmented, easy to blend, and come in tons of shades. Our favorite hue? Electro, a pink with a pale blue shift that looks beautiful dusted all over the lid or applied with a damp angled brush just along the lash line.
Anastasia Beverly Hills, $12, available at Sephora
Butter London's mousse-like Glazen Eye Glosses leave a cool oil-slick effect on lids that looks a little different from every angle. Plus, it doesn't crease or migrate throughout the night.
To pick up loose pigment, make sure your brush is slightly damp before dipping in, then press it onto lids carefully. Put it over cream shadow and you'll get color that's super-intense.
Stila's Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadows come in a number of glittery, won't-budge shades. Our favorite? Sea Siren, a bright lavender shadow with bright blue pearl. Let it set for a few seconds before following up with the rest of your eye makeup.
If you're on the hunt for a true holographic strip of liner, Face Lace's Dazzliner will be the thing to end your search. The individual face stickers are made of thin strips of transparent holographic sheets that adhere perfectly to eyelids. Plus, you can re-use them a few times.
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On Monday, Glamour magazine finally announced the person who will be taking over for Cindy Leive, its editor-in-chief of 16 years, after she announced she was quitting magazines for good in an interview with The New York Times in September. “ Not to get too emo, but my mom died when she was 49 and last year I turned 49,” Leive said at the time. “I felt like I have been given this gift of so much more life and I wanted to do something with it.” She insisted she wasn’t “going to another big media job or to a similar position at another company,” and remained in her role at Condé Nast until a replacement could be found.
The company has named Samantha Barry the chief content officer of Glamour. Barry comes from CNN where she worked as an executive producer for social and emerging media. As TheNew York Times notes, she’s the eighth editor and the first person to lead the charge with strictly digital and TV background. Leive officially passed the torch to Barry, 36, on Twitter, when she retweeted the announcement, saying “Congratulations @samanthabarry! Can’t wait to read & watch @glamourmag under your leadership;" Barry responded, “Thank you so much @cindi_leive. I’ve got impressive shoes to fill.”
Barry’s first day is Monday, January 15, and she will be in charge of all content development, production, and consumer experiences across digital, social, video, and print. In a statement, Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue and Condé Nast’s artistic director, told the NYT Barry was “fearless like so many leaders of the moment. We recognized at once that Sam would be the perfect editor for a new more ambitious era of Glamour’s future,” she said. “We can not wait to see her vision unfold.”
“I am as humbled by Glamour' s past as I am excited about Glamour future,” Barry said in an official statement. "I could not be more proud to take the reigns of an iconic women's brand at this pivotal moment for all women's voices. For me, Glamour is the home of strong storytellers, insightful journalism, beauty, and fashion. I look forward to building on the brand's success, and sharing Glamour with audiences everywhere.”
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Yesterday marked the 75th anniversary of the Golden Globes, but the night was historic for way more reasons than that. The majority of the nominees and presenters wore black to support the Time's Up initiative to end sexual assault, harassment, and gender inequality in the workplace.
And the actresses that walked the red carpet also used beauty to make strong statements, too — including everyone who proudly wore their natural hair in celebration of every kink and coil. Stars like Viola Davis, Ava Duvernay, and Oprah Winfrey were among the many women who brought much-needed hair diversity to a red carpet that's long been lacking it. Check out their beautiful and inspiring styles, ahead.
Actress Susan Kelechi Watson's drop-dead gorgeous "bob-fro" was styled by Vernon François, who created a twist-out for volume with his own LEAVE~IN Conditioner and DAZZ~LING Spritz Shine Spray.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
"I am wearing black today because balance and inclusion and diversity is not some kind of allowance to be made to accommodate people," director Ava DuVernay, who rocked her signature locs, tweeted before the show. "No, sir. It is a correction of an error. It is a righting of a wrong. And it is going to be done. Now." Seeing her flip her locs on E!'s slow-motion camera was the highlight of our night.
"Grateful for this night. Grateful to everyone wearing black. Grateful for the sisterhood of @timesupnow," Lena Waithe, creator of The Chi and Emmy Award winner Instagrammed. She also gave her stylist Felicia Leatherwood, who created that stunning adorned updo, a shout-out on her way to the awards. "Hair laid by @lovingyourhair."
Sigh. Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis can do no wrong. We swooned over her stretched out 'fro, styled by Jamika Wilson, from the carpet to the after parties.
Tarana Burke, the activist who created the Me Too movement in 2006, looked regal with her twisted updo.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.
In case you're wondering, Oprah (who brought down the house with her phenomenal acceptance speech for her Cecil B. Demille Award)is wearing her natural hair, dyed and straightened...
... she even shared a behind-the-scenes video of herself in the chair, in case you needed proof.
Photo: Via @oprah.
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Photo: Courtesy of NBC; Illustrated by Sydney Hass.
There's an unwritten rule in the celebrity handbook that, if invited to attend the Golden Globes, one must blackout or get out. It's Hollywood's sloppiest night, after all!
What exactly happens when a bunch of pretty, famous people get piled into a room to celebrate their famous faces with a boatload of free champagne? Debauchery. Refined, tinsel-tinted debauchery that will inevitably be gawked at for infinity.
More often than not, it's the winners providing the toasted toasts and laughs rather than the hosts. (Though Tina Fey & Amy Poehler do have to carry these folks through hours of schmoozing.) The following 18 moments are prime examples of that.
Then again, who knows how sloshed these folks really are. They are, at the end of the day, actors who occasionally get paid to act buzzed.
Cate Blanchett rolls with the vodka
Year: 2014 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? 2. She was fairly composed, but prone to a tangent about taking her kids to the Magic Castle.
Blanchett won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for Blue Jasmine. She began her acceptance speech with, "I have a few vodkas under my belt, and, here we are." Here we are indeed.
Jeremy Renner Spies A Different Kind Of Globe
Year: 2015 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was He? 2?
The 2015 Golden Globes weren't a typical slosh-fest (though it may have appeared as such considering how dewy everyone looked.) Jeremy Renner, however, let his judgement slide when he quipped "You've got the globes, too" while presenting the award for Best Actor In A Miniseries Or Motion Picture For Television with Jennifer Lopez. Was he buzzed? Who knows? It wasn't cool.
Giuliana Rancic Solo-Shots In Front Of The Clooneys
Year: 2015 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? Going on 1
The night was young when red carpet hustler Giuliana Rancic asked George and Amal Clooney to take a shot of Clooney's alcohol. He denied, Rancic knocked it back, and Amal could not be bothered. Oh, and Taylor Schilling (back left) yawned at the awkwardness.
Photo: Courtesy of NBC.
America’s Sweetheart Sweet Talks The Carpet
Year: 2010 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? 3
Julia Roberts left the sweet girl at home and brought her stream of conscious to the carpet. She trashed NBC and wished Michelle Obama a happy birthday in less than a minute.
Emma Thompson Loses Her Loubs
Year: 2014 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? 2
Everyone's favorite wannabe drunk aunt Emma Thompson stuck it to the male patriarchy and ditched her heels to present the 2014 Golden Globe for Best Screenplay. She was either pretending she was plastered or that was one potent martini.
Glenn Close Wiggles (Without Jason Derulo)
Year: 2013 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? 1
The only thing Glenn Close was drunk on that evening was life, liberty, and the pursuit of viral fame.
Elizabeth Taylor Usually Receives These Things, Guys
Year: 2001 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? 3 diamond encrusted sheets, girl
Taylor says it herself: "I'm new at this! I usually like to get them."
The Bridesmaids Drinking Dame
Year: 2012 How Many Sheets To The Wind Were They? 2 going on 3
This drinking game sounds dangerous in all the right places. Ladies, let's kick it sometime.
Bette Midler Fellatiates The Globe
Year: 1980 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? 2
Bette Midler said she was going to be tasteful. Bette Midler swore she doesn't swear on stage anymore. Bette Midler blew her Golden Globe.
Diddy Wonders If A Winner Remembers Him
Year: 2014 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was He? 3
If you party with Diddy, he will remember you and he will embarrass you.
Quentin Tarantino, Human Spittoon
Year: 2013 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was He? 2
Most nominees politely nod when they lose. Quentin Tarantino spits his drink out.
Harrison Ford's Accepts Mortality
Year: 2002 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was He? 2.5
Harrison Ford is the kind of drunk who, instead of make you laugh, will drag you down by reminding you his competition is dead.
Christine Lahti's Breaks The Seal
Year: 1998 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? 2
They have commercial breaks for a reason! Unless, of course, the seal was already broken — in which case, I feel for you, girl. Been there, done that. It's better to be late accepting your award than pull a Fergie, amirite?
Andrew Garfield "Inspiringly" Fails
Year: 2011 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was He? 1.5
Let's be real: Garfield is probably more nervous here than buzzed.
Meryl Streep Forgets Her Glasses
Year: 2012 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? A tentative 2
I have a theory that Meryl Streep attends every movie nominated in her category just so that when she wins, she can speak highly of each actress she beat. It's not malicious, but her eloquent delivery is a sort of backhanded compliment. She saw the movies. She knows her competition. Anyway, that didn't happen here. She forgot her glasses and went off the cuff. It was delightful.
Jack Nicholson: Cecil B. DeMille Edition
Year: 1999 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was He? 3
Jack Nicholson has been going to this award show since before it was broadcast, and he stops at nothing to regale the good 'ol days. It's like Thanksgiving with your extended family — only chicer.
Jack Nicholson: Valium Edition
Year: 2003 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was He? He was wrapped up in 3 cozy sheets.
"I know the evening's getting short. I took a Valium before this..." Never change, Jack. Sweet, sweet honest Jack.
Sharon Stone Don't Need No Mic
Year: 2003 How Many Sheets To The Wind Was She? 3
Ladies and gentleman, Sharon Stone: The classy-cool girl at the dive bar who can hold her own with the fellas. "Ya won this, buddy!" Rock on.
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Like Seth Meyers said, there was a lot to talk about last night at the 2018 Golden Globes. But before the awards show even started, all eyes were on the gowns — and thankfully, not in the "Who are you wearing? " way. Instead, stars dressed in head-to-toe black to celebrate the rollout of the Time's Up initiative, with some men wearing the movement's pin as well. And yet, there was one symbolic trend sweeping the red carpet that was so subtle, you might not have noticed unless it was holding up a golden statue.
For some A-listers in attendance, the message against sexual assault didn't stop at the floor-length gowns, special guests, or important callouts. To shed even more light on #MeToo, these stars also painted their fingertips with black nail polish to stand in solidarity for all the whistleblowers who have ever come forward — proving that polish might be a small detail, but its significance is just as powerful.
Click ahead to check out exactly why it shouldn't be overlooked.
Kerry Washington
As one of the 300 women in television, film, and theater to kick off the Time's Up movement, Washington continued spreading the message with her sparkly Prabal Gurung gown and a glossy black mani to match.
Photo: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
Debra Messing
From the very beginning of the evening, the Will & Grace actress made it a point to make her opinion known — just ask Giuliana Rancic.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Nicole Kidman
Even before Kidman won big for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, she took to the red carpet with jet-black fingertips to say, "Time is up."
Photo: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
Spotted: The Big Little Lies moment we waited all season for. It might not have taken place in Monterey, but seeing Madeline Martha Mackenzie (played by Reese Witherspoon) embrace her on-screen daughter at the Globes is a heart-melting moment — and her black nail polish made it all the more special.
Photo: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
Heidi Klum
Subtle black accessories — and a bold, black feathered gown — is exactly how Klum stood in solidarity.
Photo: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
Michelle Williams
The All the Money in the World actress showed off her black manicure mid-embrace with Tarana Burke, creator of the #metoo movement and senior director at Girls for Gender Equity.
Photo: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
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Ever since Oprah Winfrey's instantly iconic State of the Union-style speech Sunday night at the Golden Globes, all you likely want to do today is stock up on Oprah 2020 keychains and campaign mugs. (At least, that's what we're doing). But, that's not the only merch you can get your hands on to keep the evening's momentum going. Because let's not forget what made this year's event particularly special: The majority of attendees not only supported the Time's Up movement — an initiative to fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and in workplaces nationwide, backed by 300 of the industry's finest — by wearing black, but many topped their ensembles off with a lapel pin supporting the organization, too. And now, you can get in on the action beyond just wearing black.
If you want to support the movement in a more tangible way, Time's Up's online store is officially open. Though T-shirt activism is something we've grown wary of over the past couple of years, it's worth noting that the organization is not only backed by $13 million in donations (and counting!) and legislation to penalize companies that tolerate persistent harassment, but it's also donating all proceeds from the products in its shop to said Legal Defense fund, which provides subsidized legal services for individuals subject to workplace sexual harassment and abuse. So, if you left last night feeling a shift of times and the wave of empowerment many Hollywood women did, you can support the cause by shopping the items ahead (or, you can choose to donate here). Because when Oprah says men's time is up, well, their time is up.
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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: a freelancer who makes $450 per day. This week, she spends some of her money on a hot dog.
Occupation: Multidisciplinary Freelancer. I work in the film industry, but my job changes depending on the day and scope of project. Sometimes I work as a production coordinator on national commercials. I got my start as a costume designer in independent film, and my bread and butter has recently been as a tailor and assistant stylist on commercial and editorial projects. Industry: Film & Commercial Age: 29 Location: Oakland, CA Salary: My day rate generally floats between $450-$650, with the occasional $1,000/day thrown in — but it fluctuates. Paycheck: $450-$4,080, depending on how many days I've accumulated on a job and my agreed-upon day rate. (I can go weeks without a check — net 30/45/60 with some clients — so I'll say I get paid about once a month.)
Monthly Expenses Housing Costs: ~$2,280 with internet and utilities, split with roommates — two currently. The split depends who is living in my loft at any given time and their budget. I recently moved out of the master bedroom; I'm gone so much for work and it didn't really make sense for me to have the biggest space in the unit. Student Loan Payments: $450 for private student loans
All Other Monthly Expenses Hot Spot Yoga: $99 for an unlimited membership Dropbox: $9.99 Health Insurance: $275 Netflix: $10 Spotify: $10 Renters & Life Insurance: $35 Amazon Prime: $12.99. I pay monthly because I'm often out of the country and I cancel during travel months. Car Insurance: $80 IRA Contribution: $250-$500
Day One
9 a.m. — Wake up. Protein shake and coffee because I have a yoga class in a little bit and I'm feeling too lazy to make breakfast.
10:15 a.m. — First yoga class of the day. I pay $99/month for an unlimited membership, and I go as often as I can (which, on days I'm not working, is often twice).
6 p.m. — Second yoga class of the day. This was one was restorative which felt amazing. Note to self: take more restorative classes. I only wish I could double up like this and end every day with a restorative class.
7:45 p.m. — Right after yoga, I drive over to a new client's home. I'm designing Salsa competition shirts for a new Oakland dance company (it's the first LGBTQ performance and competitive team in the area). I've emailed, texted, and spoken with the company owners, but this is my first face-to-face with them. They're rad, we totally gel, and I'm excited to get my velvet and rhinestone on.
9 p.m. — One of my friends is getting married tomorrow at San Francisco City Hall, and I've decided to hit a store that's still open to see if they have anything I'd want to wear. I tried on a bunch of stuff, but everything was ugly and not worth the money.
11 p.m. — Home and beginning to wardrobe plan and pack for the next couple of days. I'm heading to L.A. for a table read of a film I'm producing in the spring. It's a quick trip, only 30 hours, and I'm trying to figure out how to get everything into a large tote bag (I hate, hate, HATE carrying anything unnecessary with me.) This includes deliberation about what to wear to the wedding, if I can go to the airport directly in it, etc. Silently thanking my mom for all the fancy skincare samples she passes on to me, because this way I don't have to buy anything TSA-approved.
Daily Total: $0
Day Two
12 p.m. — Call a Lyft Line to take me to my friend's wedding. (I should say friends' wedding, because I'm friends with both the bride and groom.) I was able to fit everything for L.A. into a tote that fits under the airport seat (small victories!) and plan to change out of my wedding garb as soon as the ceremony is over. $15.30
1:15 p.m. — City Hall is super backed up; apparently, the Monday before Thanksgiving is a popular day for folks to get married. I'm starving and so are my friends, so we wander outside of City Hall and across the street to the hot dog vendor, where I buy an insanely overpriced Louisiana Hot Link. I'm still hungry afterwards but refuse to buy another. $6.75
3:45 p.m. — The wedding ceremony is over, much later than anticipated, so I have to ditch the post-wedding happy hour and get myself to the airport. It works out well because another friend/wedding attendee has to drive *right by* the airport, so he agrees to drop me off. We both need a little pick-me-up so we stop into Philz Coffee before hitting the road. I pay as a thank you for the ride. $13
5 p.m. — At the airport, through security, and still hungry. I cave and go to Cat Cora in the airport next to my terminal and get a soup and salad. Annoyed at airport pricing, but I should've planned better. I'm usually all about bringing my own food/drinks on airplanes (I fly WOW and Norwegian and Spirit a lot, so I'm used to it; I self-fund creative projects so I need to be as thrifty about my travel as possible) but today I've majorly failed. $15.31
6 p.m. — I grab a decaf coffee to slam before getting on the plane. $2.50
9:30 p.m. — Made it to L.A.! An ex picks me up from LAX. (Funny story: I never got airport pickups when we were together. Our split was friendly, and now I sleep in his living room when I'm in L.A.) We hit Petty Cash Taqueria, get spicy margaritas, tacos, and a quesadilla. I'm exhausted, so we split the bill and decide to call it a night. $50.13
Daily Total: $102.99
Day Three
8:30 a.m. — Wake up and drink a protein shake that I brought with me from home. Ex-BF works just as much as me, if not more, so he doesn't really have anything in his fridge either.
10 a.m. — Meet up with a friend at a nearby Coffee Bean, where I get a large iced coffee. I met this friend through work a few years back; she was an actress on one of the first films that I costume designed. I saw her a couple of weeks ago at a premiere for said film, and now I finally get to meet her almost one-year-old twins! $4.31
12 p.m. — Our coffee hangout turns into lunch at The Farmers Market at the Grove. I grab a chicken salad and we continue to catch up and talk shop (film) until I have to leave to meet up with the writer-director of the film I'm producing. $14.32
1:15 p.m. — Realized I didn't have my notebook with me so I needed to get a Lyft back to ex-BF's place so I can take notes at the table read. $5.60
1:30 p.m. — Grab an Uber to the table read (graciously hosted by one of the writer-director's friends). I did a table read of this script a few weeks ago in Paris with other filmmaker friends because we needed to get a rough estimate on timing. (The script is very dialogue heavy.) This will be the first read with actual actors, so I'm excited to see what they bring to the table. A huge plus is that one of our readers today is a good friend I haven't seen in over a year, and it'll be nice to give him a hug and catch up. He and I have both had a big 2017, and there's a lot to fill in. $8.80
5 p.m. — Head to a Mexican restaurant with the writer-director, and some of the other people from the read. I grab a tequila and share in the table's chips and guac. We end up talking for hours about the script and project. I was already excited about it, but I'm glad to know that other (accomplished!) film professionals believe in it as well. The writer-director picks up the bill for the entire table.
7:30 p.m. — We could all talk forever about this project but the restaurant has gotten too loud with a terrible cover band so we decide to part ways. I grab an Uber back to ex-BF's place. $4.17
9 p.m. — Should've actually eaten more at the post-read discussion. I briefly consider just drinking a protein shake, but in the end real food wins. I order a burger/salad thing from The Counter, which is walking distance. Spend the next couple of hours drinking "birthday champagne" (a bottle of Veuve Cliquot that ex-BF got as a present a few weeks ago) and catching up on work and life (mostly work) while half-watching the second season of a YouTube Red show that he produced and I worked on when we first met. I'm already dreading my 3:30 a.m. wakeup, so it's bedtime for me. $14.94
Daily Total: $52.14
Day Four
3:45 a.m. — Leave for the airport. My flight isn't until 7 a.m., but it's the day before Thanksgiving. I'm chronically early for things and the airport is no exception. I've missed flights before so I err on the side of very early when I can. Plus, my mom sent me a picture of L.A. traffic and I haven't been able to check into my flight online. $28.90
4:45 a.m. — FUCK. So the reason I couldn't check in to my flight is because Spirit automatically canceled it, so I'm stuck buying a new one-way ticket. When I first bought the round trip ticket, I didn't know about my friend's wedding (it was a last-minute thing). I ended up having to use flight miles to book a later flight out so I wouldn't miss the wedding. Apparently, when you miss one leg of your flight on Spirit, they auto cancel the other flight(s). Is this a thing? I want to get mad, but I just pony up the new fare and get through security. $76.20
5 a.m. — This morning isn't the best. I left my protein shake powder at ex-BF's place and I'm starving, so I grab an overpriced breakfast at Rock & Brews at LAX and watch The Incredible Jessica James on my phone while I wait for my flight to start boarding. I'm kicking myself for how expensive this 30-hour L.A. trip has been, but decide to stop beating myself up and travel prepare like I usually do for the next L.A. jaunt (mid-December for a SAG Indie workshop). $21.51
8 a.m. — Back in Oakland! Grab a Lyft from the airport and go home so I can pass out for a few hours. $10.10
4 p.m. — Wake up super groggy, throw on yoga clothes, and head to the fabric store and pay for parking. I'm sourcing the fabric for the salsa team's costumes. I walk in and am told they're closing at 4:30, because tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I'm usually much better about double-checking closing times for stores (mostly because I hate driving and sitting in traffic), but I didn't even think to today. Do a quick walk through and see that there isn't any fabric in stock that I can use for the costumes. It really hasn't been my best day. $1.50
4:30 p.m. — Now I've got a bunch of time on the meter and lots of time to kill before yoga at 6:30. I walk to a nearby coffee shop and grab a coffee and something to snack on while I catch up on podcasts (and people-watch!). This coffee shop is really close to U.C. Berkeley, so there are a bunch of students studying. Every time I see students studying in a coffee shop, I say silent thanks that I finished school years ago. $6.23
5:30 p.m. — I still have some time to kill before yoga, so I switch to trip planning mode. I'm co-planning a MLK Jr. weekend trip to Tahoe with some pals. The other host was able to book one suite through her timeshare, but since it's a holiday weekend, a second suite isn't available unless we book at a regular rate. I choose a six-person suite and put down the deposit. $400
6:30 p.m. — First yoga class of the day. It's been really nice to get back into my practice. I've had to sit out most of this year because I wrecked my back pretty badly earlier this year in a car accident. Some days are more pleasant than others, and today I definitely bring all my BS from the day onto the mat. The class is hard — mentally — to get through.
8 p.m. — Second yoga class of the day: a yin class to balance out the vinyasa flow class I just did. I thought the yin would help my mental state, but I couldn't calm down or enjoy the practice like I usually do.
Daily Total: $544.44
Day Five
11 a.m. — It's Thanksgiving! My friend from L.A., the one with twins, gave me a bunch of baby clothes to bring to our friend who conveniently lives close to my parents, so I'm stopping by her house en route to my family home. It's my first time meeting her little one, so we spend a couple of hours catching up and playing with her son.
1:30 p.m. — At my parents' house. I saw them a few days ago for an hour or so, but this is my first time actually getting to hang out and chat since August. We only live 30 miles from each other, but we're all often traveling so it's not uncommon for us to be on different continents at any given time. I chat with my mom as she finishes making dinner and shop YogaOutlet's Thankful Thursday sale. I'm planning to do a yoga teacher training in early 2018, and my yoga wardrobe is very limited so I decide to take advantage of the killer prices and stock up. I get four pairs of yoga pants and three crop tops/bras. $113.91
6 p.m. — Still catching up! I fill them in on my seven-week Europe trip and they tell me about the last few weeks away. They bought a second home about 10 years ago with the intention of settling there when they're done with traveling all the time. I mention the yoga teacher training to them because I'm trying to figure out how to swing the cost of the three-and-a-half week program ($3,000). I won't be able to work during those weeks (no paid vacation because I'm a freelancer). I already have a lot of planned travel coming up in 2018, so I'm just trying to wrap my head around everything. My dad kind of scoffs at doing a yoga certification in San Francisco instead of in India (he was an Aikido practitioner for over 30 years and has trained in Japan, so I get where he's coming from). I make a mental note to check on the pricing and availability of programs in India when I get home.
11 p.m. — Last Black Friday purchase: I buy a pair of black high-waist jeans with sailor buttons (stoked!) and fresh tortoise shell cat eye sunglasses, and go to sleep. $56.81
11:05 p.m. — Just kidding about those clothes being the last purchase. I buy gnome rubber ducks to send to friends under the name of an inside joke I have with friends. (Gnomes aren't unusual for me; I collect them.) They'll get them on Saturday. I love Amazon Prime. $7.99
Daily Total: $178.71
Day Six
10 a.m. — Sleep in and finally roll out of bed to make breakfast. I work so much and it's not unusual to put in 70-plus hours in a week. On off days or weeks, I try to sleep and stay in as much as possible. I do a quick scramble with eggs, spinach, and bacon. I buy these at Costco every few weeks and I only cook for myself, so the cost is negligible and each haul lasts me a few weeks.
12 p.m. — Yoga! The class is packed; everyone is stoked to be there after feasting the day before. This class is with a teacher I've never had a class with before and it totally kicks my ass. Love it!
2 p.m. — Home and checking out yoga teacher training programs in India. I've found a ton in Goa and they're less than half as expensive as doing the certification in San Francisco. Even with the flight, it's about a $1,000 savings. I send an inquiry to the school I'm most interested in, and an email to a friend who lives in New Delhi (yes, I know it's nowhere near Goa) to see if he'd like to go on an adventure at the conclusion of the training.
8 p.m. — Eugh. Feeling SO lethargic because I've spent the last couple hours Netflixing. My friends told me I needed a hobby outside of work (ha), so I've been toying with the idea of designing a simple accessories line. In between dropping out of school and starting fashion school in San Francisco, I was making and selling handbags and clutches. I haven't done it since 2009, but my skills and taste have elevated, so maybe it's time? I sketch and research materials for the next few hours. If I do it, it'll be a nice brain break from the design work I do for film and commercials.
Daily Total: $0
Day Seven
9 a.m. — Wanted to sleep in longer but that wasn't in the cards. I lay around for a bit and finally get up because I'm starving. Eggs, spinach, bacon, coffee. I'm a creature of habit when left on my own. My work life is so hectic, so I prefer to keep things easy when I'm not working. That, and I'm the laziest person I know when I'm "off."
12 p.m. — Yoga! Class today with my favorite teacher. The flow kicks my ass but I'm in a much better mental state today than I've been during the practices earlier in the week. And I can do an unsupported bridge again! This is a huge accomplishment for me, because just a few months ago I couldn't even sit or stand without pain, exhaustion, and a brace.
1:45 p.m. — Head to the grocery store after yoga/before going home. I'm out of coffee and also need to get some Stevia drops. The coffee (Intelligensia) is pricey — usually I find it on sale, but no such luck today. It'll last a while since I'm the only person drinking it. As soon as I get home, I make some bulletproof coffee for an energy boost. $18.98
3 p.m. — Flipping through Instagram and I see one of my favorite accounts (@garancedore) posted about the book, Women Who Run With the Wolves. I immediately click onto Amazon and buy it. $5.74
3:05 p.m. — As soon as I bought the book, I remembered I needed to get a gift for an upcoming annual White Elephant gift exchange. The rules changed this year: no more gag gifts and only useful items. I was annoyed but realized it makes total sense — no use in wasting money on things people won't use. (Damn getting older and more sensible!) I look through Amazon's Black Friday deals and choose a rad backpacking double hammock. There are several backpackers in this friend group, but I'm secretly hoping I end up with it. $34.95
4 p.m. — Realize that I need to replace my planner and Moleskine notebook soon. I'm super analog when it comes to scheduling, note taking, and lists. Go to reorder my usuals, but I'm annoyed at how expensive they are. Decide to do some comparison shopping and look at notebooks/planners from Muji, but I can't make up my mind. I end up not buying one.
8 p.m. — Dinner with my landlords! I've lived in my building for five years and my landlords live in the building. We've gotten pretty close. We all have crazy work commitments so hanging out doesn't happen very often; the last time was back in September before I went to Europe. They're chefs, so I know whenever we go out the food and wine will be great. They choose a hot pot/steam restaurant in Oakland, and I defer to them for all ordering. They pick up the bill. They always do; they're really generous and giving.
Daily Total: $59.67
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Today, Walmart is both majorly expanding benefits for workers and laying off thousands in its Sam's Club chain. The company will offer parental leave to its full-time hourly associates, a move that's expected to influence other companies' decisions given that it's the largest private employer in the country.
According to a statement from Walmart, full-time hourly associates in the U.S. will now get 10 weeks of paid maternity leave and six weeks of paid parental leave — the same as salaried workers. Previously, they received only six to eight weeks of maternity leave at half pay — there were no benefits for dads, many same-sex couples, and adoptive parents.
Walmart is also raising salaries for new employees from $10 to $11 an hour and offering a one-time bonus to associates based on how long they've worked there, ranging from $200 to $1,000. The company currently has over a million hourly associates in the U.S., both full- and part-time, and about 1.4 million employees total nationally. Same-sex couples, adoptive parents, and foster parents are included in the policy, and the company is also creating a $5,000-per-child fund to help employees adopt.
At the same time, Walmart is abruptly closing 63 Sam's Club stores across the country, the company told Business Insider, which is resulting in thousands of workers losing their jobs. Some closed today, while others will close at a later date.
BI reported that many employees weren't informed of the closings before showing up for work today, learning about them when they saw signs on the stores' doors. Walmart plans to turn 10 of the stores into e-commerce distribution centers and their employees will be able to reapply for positions at those locations.
"After a thorough review of our existing portfolio, we've decided to close a series of clubs and better align our locations with our strategy. Closing clubs is never easy and we're committed to working with impacted members and associates through this transition," Sam's Club posted on Twitter.
Walmart did not respond to Refinery29's request for comment on whether the two decisions are related.
Corporate Vs. Hourly: A Big Difference
While white-collar workers have been benefiting from the "talent war " to attract top-level workers, low-wage workers are often left out of these benefits — sometimes even at the same companies.
Brianna Cayo Cotter is the chief of staff for PL+US: Paid Leave for the U.S., a small nonprofit that advocates for paid leave with the goal of eventually building momentum toward creating a federal policy, something the U.S. does not have.
Cayo Cotter says her group's research shows a huge gap between the benefits corporate, white-collar employees enjoy and those provided to hourly workers such as cashiers. According to a report from May 2017, 94% of low-wage working people in the U.S. have no access to paid family leave. It's much more likely for a worker to have this benefit if they make over $75,000, rather than under $30,000.
But that might be starting to shift: Companies including Ikea, Nordstrom, and Bank of America have all instituted paid leave policies for hourly workers recently, according to the above report. Now, says Cayo Cotter, her organization is closely working with Starbucks and others who are yet to close the gap. At Starbucks — which has touted itself as a leader among retailers when it comes to employee benefits — it's been a slow drip. It currently offers 18 weeks of leave for birth moms and 12 weeks for dads and adoptive parents to corporate employees, but to "field" employees — baristas — just six weeks, and only to birth moms.
"It sees itself as a real leader in employee benefits and treatment, but now Walmart has outdone them," she says.
Cayo Cotter says she thinks Walmart will be able to influence other companies to move the needle. "I think that Walmart making this move is going to be very significant — if you want to be a competitive business in this country, now you have to be paying parental leave to all classes of workers," she says.
The Caregiving Question
Several U.S. states have instituted, or are discussing, family leave policies that expand beyond parental benefits to help employees who need to take care of a sick parent or other family member, with New York state the most recent to implement policy on the issue. Just 21% of leaves from work are for new babies, according to another PL+US report, and most companies don't offer this type of leave.
Over the past year, Adobe and Facebook have announced paid caregiving leave, but only two of the U.S.' 70 largest employers offer it: Deloitte (16 weeks) and Cargill (two weeks). Only about a third of top employers offer short-term disability to fill the gap, according to PL+US.
Walmart's policy is far from perfect: It doesn't cover caregiving or part-time employees, for instance. But it's a significant improvement. "There's a wave of employees at all types of companies across this country that are ready to fight for paid family leave — and apparently they can win," says Cayo Cotter.
We've reached out to a Sam's Club spokesperson for more information about the closings and layoffs and will update this story when we hear back.
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You know that feeling you get at a restaurant when the waiter finally emerges with your dinner? Well, that's how we feel about MAC's latest collaboration — and the sentiment feels particularly fitting. Padma Lakshmi, host of Top Chef, announced her capsule collection with the brand today... and it's more than appetizing.
The 17-piece line of lipsticks, eye pencils, blushes, lip gloss, and blushes have very direct nods to Lakshmi's Indian heritage. The colors, according to the press release, are meant to take you from day to night — and many of them are dual-ended, meaning you're getting twice the value for one price. We'll raise a glass to that.
Check out the full collection hitting MAC's website and select stores on March 15 through April — ahead.
MAC x Padma Cremesheen Glass in Nefertiti, $21, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Lipstick in Blue Blood, $17.50, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Lipstick in Mittai Pink, $17.50, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Lipstick in Nude Fudge, $17.50, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Lipstick in Apricot Gold, $17.50, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Lipstick in Sunset Rose, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Lipstick in Sumac, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Eye Shadow x 4 in 70's Sunset, $33, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Eye Shadow x 4 in Desert Dusk, $33, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Iced Heather/Kerala Sun, $18.50, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Indian Ink/Mossy Green, $18.50, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Bordeauxline/Molé Brown, $18.50, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Large Angled Contour Brush, $35, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Fluff Brush/Pencil SES Dual-Ended Brush, $35, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Medium Angled Shading Brush, $25, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Powder Blush Duo in Melon Pink, $33, available at MAC on March 15.
MAC x Padma Powder Blush Duo in Moon & Shine, $33, available at MAC on March 15.
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No matter how much I pride myself on being able to suss out the top notes of any fragrance upon first sniff or pinpoint the exact cross streets of a 5-star Indian restaurant from a mile away (or at least a block or two), there is a truth that must be reckoned with: I am only human, and that means I will only ever have around six million olfactory receptors.
My dog, on the other hand, has roughly 50 times as many. The percentage of her little doggy brain that is devoted to analyzing scents is a whopping 40 times larger than my own. (It really isn’t fair — she’s not the one with secret aspirations of becoming a world-renowned fragrance “nose.”) Dogs experience their entire lives through their noses, sniffing out everything from drugs and cancer to garbage bags and butts. So why shouldn’t they get to enjoy fragrance, too?
Perfume for dogs? you might think. That’s ridiculous. But is it really? What makes perfume for dogs any more frivolous than perfume for humans? You don't need to wear fragrance; neither does your dog. You're alike in that sense. But it's nice to smell good, and you'd be surprised by how many fragrance offerings actually exist for dogs. Ellen DeGeneres makes quite a few of them, for example, and there are options ranging from cheap yet effective to truly luxe.
Of course, it's always a good idea to ask your vet if your dog has any allergies or medical conditions that could be impacted by a dog perfume — and definitely don't use actual human perfume, since the high quantities of alcohol can be extremely drying and irritating to your pup's sensitive skin. There are plenty of dog-friendly options to choose from that smell great and are totally safe, so spritz away. This is one situation in which testing on animals is actually a good thing.
A canine-focused riff on the human blowdry bar experience, Barkbar's fragrance mists come in delightful cocktail-inspired scents, such as Strawberry Daiquiri, Peach Bellini, and Grapefruit Margarita.
Barkbar Dry Grooming Strawberry Daiquiri Fragrance Mist for Dogs, $9.99, available at PetSmart.
If you prefer your furry BFF to smell less like a fancy mixed drink and more like a fresher version of themselves, this clean, slightly herbal apple-and-rosemary blend will serve you well. Plus, the formula is 97% natural and cruelty-free; no animals were harmed in the making of this perfume for dogs.
Burt’s Bees Deodorizing Spray with Apple & Rosemary for Dogs, $6.84, available at Chewy.
Yes, that Chi, the one that made your flat iron. And why stop at just the spray when the brand also offers a truly impressive range of upscale pet hair-care products?
Chi for Dogs Deodorizing Spray, $10.99, available at PetSmart.
The PetSmart website currently stocks 242 Ellen DeGeneres-branded items designed for pets, which is weird and wonderful, including seven different ways to scent your dog.
ED Ellen DeGeneres Lemongrass Puppy Refresher Spray, $10.99, available at PetSmart.
For the difficult-to-please pup who wants the best of everything, this daily hydrating spray uses evening primrose oil to keep their skin hydrated, is subtly fragranced with something described as "Maldives Villa," and looks just like anything you'd use on your own human head.
Isle of Dogs Coature No. 62 Evening Primrose Oil Dog Conditioning Mist, $27.40, available at Amazon.
This luxe, aromatherapy-based freshening spray leaves coats shiny and comes at a surprisingly reasonable price.
Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy Pet Care De-stress Lavender & Chamomile Aromatherapy Freshening & Shining Spray For Pets, $10, available at Amazon.
The best formula on the market is also the cheapest: The go-to brand for stuff-to-put-on-your-carpet-when-your-puppy-pees-on-the-floor makes an amazing freshening spray that leaves pups so fresh and so clean.
Nature’s Miracle Supreme Odor Control Freshening Spring Waters Dog Spray, $3.19, available at Chewy.
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If I had to guess, I'd say I've tried somewhere around 75 moisturizers in the last few years. Between best-sellers at Sephora, creams packed with hyaluronic acid, and the lengthy face oil phase that occupied my entire 2017, I've seen my fair share — and found a few good options — of diverse hydrators. For the most part, though, I'd use the product for a few months and then move onto something else.
But recently, during the especially tumultuous "bomb cyclone" (though I'm still unsure what exactly that term means), I went on the hunt for something that could withstand the storm's brutal winds and my apartment's moisture-sucking radiator. Which is how I stumbled across Fresh's Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer.
Little did I know that the bombogenesis would bless me with one of my best skin-care discoveries yet. This rose-scented tub of magic absorbs at lightening speed into skin, leaving behind a slightly tacky — but never sticky — residue, which I consider evidence of its insane hydrating powers. After just one use, my skin was moisturized, soothed, and brighter than if I had used a few swipes of cream highlighter. (Even my boyfriend told me I was glowing!)
All of this is thanks to the cream's key ingredients: There's hyaluronic acid, angelica leaf extract, and rosewater, which all work simultaneously to hydrate and refresh the face. It's also worked wonders on inflammation, and I've yet to get a breakout since using it. Of course, it's hard to say whether that can be entirely attributed to this product, but it has definitely soothed my sensitive skin.
I'd never used a facial moisturizer before that made my skin look so healthy — and for that, I'm forever indebted to winter storm Grayson.
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream, $40, available at Sephora.
