Dust off your dark denim, folks, because this season brings the revival of our trustiest fabric in shades, shapes, and stitching straight from the 2000s. Designers ushered in spring '18’s denim redux with an assembly of indigo washes, exposed stitching, and sharp cuts, signaling the end of grungy jackets and jeans, and the beginning of smart, tailored, utilitarian pieces.
Denim, while a constant in our wardrobes, is subject to the ebb and flow of industry trends. For several seasons now, the cropped kick-flare has reigned supreme, and with good reason: Perfectly paired with an ankle boot — more specifically, the foot-hugging sock boot — or a pair of Birkenstocks in the summer, the style is both flattering and versatile. Its popularity rode the wave of the backlash against the skinny jean, and it came in every color of the rainbow, from red and white to pastel hues.
But with spring '18 came a more refined slew of denim, and an aesthetic you may recognize. The noughties was a glorious decade, when pop stars fell out of clubs with little thought for PR and an excessive tan and stripy highlights were the epitome of beauty. But it was also an era where style lines were most definitely blurred — with denim one of the biggest culprits. Red carpet style may now mean glamour and glitz but back then, it meant Britney and Justin in matching denim get-ups. It was a time when music groups wore Canadian tuxedos and brands like Tommy Hilfiger (which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2005) were enjoying popularity, thus trickling down to us mere mortals, who in turn wore denim at every occasion.
So how have designers reimagined the decade's denim for the contemporary woman? First things first: denim’s gone dark. Indigo swept catwalks across the board, from Zadig & Voltaire, Adam Selman, and Max Mara to Calvin Klein and Tibi. “Denim always appeals to designers as it has the structure to hold a shape, and is inherently cool,” Erin Fridja, founder of Bad Denim, tells Refinery29. “Dark, indigo denim is the natural way to work with the fabric, as opposed to artificially adding in patterns.”
To keep it contemporary, the trick to making this noughties denim redux right for 2018 is with sharp cuts and clever details. “Keep it clean and in classic shapes, with an exaggerated detail,” Fridja advises. “Find a jacket with extended collar points, a straight leg with flowing ruffles, or a jumpsuit with a nipped-in waist to feel modern and crisp.” A throwback to the noughties with a modern-day refresh? This is denim we can get on board with.
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Plain and simple: We can’t stop obsessing over Meghan Markle’s style, whether it’s the perfect cold weather look she wore earlier this month, the wrap coat she sported to announce her engagement to Prince Harry, or even the handbag so good we’re still refreshing the brand’s website in the hopes of scoring one for ourselves. And while she can wear literally everything, there's one thing we'll have to wait until May to see Markle in.
Royal etiquette stipulates the former Suits actress must not wear a tiara until she officially becomes Mrs. Henry Charles Albert David a.k.a. Prince Harry’s wife. “Strict etiquette rules prohibit unmarried women from wearing tiaras," The Daily Mirror reports, “like the ones Kate [Middleton] is frequently spotted sporting.” This is the reason you will see The Duchess of Cambridge, who is also a commoner, in fancy tiaras and crowns in the months leading up to Markle's nuptials — but not Markle's herself.
Markle, however, will be able to carry something down the aisle that Middleton held on her wedding day, as well as Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II. The Daily Mirror is also reporting that Markle, if she follows tradition, will carry a small piece of myrtle in her wedding day bouquet. But this is royal myrtle grown from a bush on the Isle of Wight given to Queen Victoria as a gift by Prince Albert's grandmother.
We have to wait until May to see Markle in a tiara, but also, to see what designer will have the honor of the actress saying “yes” to the dress.
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On the grand hierarchy of potential problems a person can have in life, eczema may seem relatively low on the list. But the common condition, which presents itself as red, itchy, inflamed skin, can become so painful and debilitating in severe cases that skin can ooze, crack, and bleed. Understandably, people are willing to do crazy things to cure it: take cold showers, slather on petroleum jelly over high-strength topical steroids, bathe in bleach.
But there’s one effective remedy that some eczema sufferers swear by that only sounds weird. Originally created to soothe and soften the overworked udders of dairy cows, udder cream is exactly what it sounds like — but it actually has a pretty extensive history as a treatment for roughed-up human skin, too.
The notable example might just be in Vermont's Original Bag Balm, the iconic green aluminum tin that stashes a simple four-ingredient blend of petrolatum, lanolin, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (an antiseptic and preservative), and paraffin wax. As the company's origin story goes, Bag Balm came to be in 1900, when a Vermont farmer named John L. Norris “saddled his best horse and rode 30 long miles” to track down a rumored “miraculous salve for chafed and cracked cow udders.”
In the 118 years since that long and fateful ride, Bag Balm has been used on the driest of skin in the coldest of weather, on cuts, calluses, and chapped lips. (Admiral Richard Byrd is even said to have taken it on his 1937 expedition to the North Pole.) A lesser-known — but equally beloved — udder cream, MooGoo, is used throughout hospitals in Australia; Udderly Smooth 's body cream is so nourishing to peeling, cracking skin, it's often recommended to cancer patients suffering from certain chemotherapy-related skin conditions.
So what do chafed cow udders have in common with dehydrated, eczema-prone human skin? A lot, apparently. "People who suffer from eczema have a genetic alteration to the barrier function of their skin, and are subject to dry skin that itches," says dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD. Another thing that's dry and itchy, with compromised barrier function: the udders of a dairy cow who's had them pulled at for 300 days out of the year. "I think the reasoning goes, 'If it's good for the cow's udder, it must be good for my skin.'"
That line of thinking isn't wrong: You'll find plenty of the same ingredients in formulas like Bag Balm, MooGoo, and Udderly Smooth that you'd see in skin-soothing products not marketed specifically to the bovine. Bag Balm and Udderly Smooth are heavy on the lanolin, the emollient wax secreted from the sebaceous glands of sheep that humans love in lip balms and rich moisturizers; Dr. Shamban says that the sweet almond, olive, and vitamin E oils in MooGoo's Skin Milk Udder Cream help rebalance and restore the skin's oil content and seal in moisture to stave off dryness.
There's nothing about udder creams that make them any less legit of skin-care preparations than anything at Sephora or CVS that uses those same ingredients. True, you may feel weird slathering on a salve that was once also used on the udders of some poor over-milked cow — but provided you can get that depressing thought out of your head, it's a hell of a lot better than bathing in bleach.
Finding a good duffle bag should be priority number one when it comes to travel gear. A duffle/weekender/hands-free carry-on is just oversized, just flexible enough to fulfill all of your overpacking dreams, without having to dedicate yourself to a bulky roller suitcase. But considering the differences in durability, size, weight distribution, and equally as important, style, a travel bag can make or break even the shortest of trips. Because the last thing you need to face mid-travel is back pain from uncomfortable straps or your cheap, nylon number ripping at the seams.
If sore shoulders and a bag that's seen better days en route to your weekend retreat doesn't sound like your cup of tea, then it's time to consider refreshing your go-to piece. Ahead are 18 duffle bags that will serve to better your travel style, not cramp it. And whether you're packing a bag for a bon voyage or just a morning commute to the gym, you deserve to give yourself a break with these hassle-free options.
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There is a lot happening in Lindsay Lohan's world these days. Not only has she started an online campaign to play the next Batgirl, broadcasted plans for her own island in Dubai called Lohan Island, and finished filming season two of the British sitcom Sick Note, but she also recently announced a gig that will have you feeling like you hopped in a time machine.
During an appearance on The Wendy Williams Show a few days ago, Lohan shared that she's been working on something every fan of Freaky Friday has been waiting for: her very own makeup collection.
Photo Via The Wendy Williams Show.
Of course, we presume this will happen right after she finishes her laundry list of other priorities. But between owning a club in Athens named Lohan, getting ready to open another in Mykonos this summer, and maintaining her sobriety, Lohan told the host that has been gearing up to launch a cosmetics line — making all her superfans’ dreams come true.
While there aren’t many other details on the upcoming launch quite yet, a photo was displayed in a clip from the interview, showing lipsticks, lip liner, a powder compact, and maybe even an eyeshadow. And if we had to guess, we'd say the Liz & Dick actress will likely give her cosmetics brand the same title as her island and club(s).
While the news of the line certainly doesn't eclipse Lohan's questionable comments regarding both Harvey Weinstein and Donald Trump, we can't say we're not curious to find out how her newest beauty venture will turn out. Now, it’s just a matter of if and when...
On my first day of fifth grade, my teacher asked the class to share who their favorite famous person was — and my hand shot right up into the air. "Khalea, the one who loves Aaliyah " was my identity for the beginning of the school year... and up until August 25, 2001, when the singer passed away in a fatal plane crash. Even though it's been 16 years since her untimely death, it's impossible to forget about the singer and actress (who would've turned 39 today). We all miss her, but thankfully, her legacy will live on forever.
Aaliyah's sound was futuristic, and in turn, her glam was also ahead of its time. It's impossible to choose a best look — she had too many to count, thanks to big budget music videos and numerous red carpet appearances. And hopefully, MAC Cosmetics does her justice this summer with their collection, which finally came into fruition after a Change.org petition racked up over 26,000 signatures.
Until then, we'll hold on to the memories and marvel at the beauty of Baby Girl, as it will never, ever be duplicated. Check out some of our favorite looks ahead, and let us know what yours are in the comments below.
The Swoop Bang You know you're a '90s baby if you tried to create fake fringe by combing the front of your hair to the back, then forward again. It was all in an effort to create Aaliyah's most recognizable hairstyle, seen even towards the beginning of her career in '97.
Photo: Chris Walter/WireImage.
The bang — and her long length — remained a mainstay throughout the years. It was sexy, mysterious, but still attainable enough to request at your local salon.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Ombré As she got older, Aaliyah changed up her look by dyeing the ends of her long, jet black hair brunette. Some fans and beauty lovers argue that she was one of the first entertainers to try the ombré trend.
Photo: The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images.
The Smoky Eye & Glossy Lip Combo Kim Kardashian got some flack for her Halloween costume last year, but who wouldn't want to copy this look? It's one of Aaliyah's most famous ones. Although she's dressed head-to-toe in glimmering stones, we still can't remove our gaze from her artfully-painted lids and lips.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube.
"We Need A Resolution" Red Hopefully, the powers that be at MAC Cosmetics are reading this, because we NEED this red lip in the collection this year. After all, it's a transformative shade... and was a huge part of one of Aaliyah's most mature makeup looks at the time (from "We Need a Resolution"). Honorable mention goes to her one dot, one lip moment and orange eyeshadow.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube.
"Rock The Boat" Rhinestones Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat" video was her last, but it's one that's impossible to forget. Her makeup artist, Christopher Maldonado, (who also passed away on the plane ride from the Bahamas) made sure of it. Throughout multiple scenes of the music video, Baby Girl wore rhinestones around her eyes — partially because she shot scenes underwater, where false eyelashes would likely float away, but mostly because she looked stunning.
Photo: Courtesy of YouTube.
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So you finally got the cut you've been coveting for what seems like forever, but about three months into your new 'do, you realize you desperately miss your long hair. We've been there. It's not that you hate your new look, necessarily, but there are only so many ways one can style a bob/lob/pixie, and you get bored easily. So, what to do?
While you can't exactly get that length back overnight (although we're still waiting for the day this becomes a reality), there are some tips and tricks to help maximize your growth and, most importantly, make the process a bit more bearable.
First things first, you've got to have a game plan — and commit to it. "Be on a schedule, do the right things, stick with it. Don’t just say, ‘Yeah, [I'm] going to do it’ and then [not] do it," advises hairstylist Nunzio Saviano. "Put it on a calendar...know when you get a trim, if you need to take vitamins, etc."
Sounds strict, but the great part is, you’ll learn how to take care of your hair all over again. You'll come out of the 90 days with healthy tresses (maybe the healthiest they've ever been), a couple of inches of growth, and a great jumping-off point for however long you plan on growing out your mane.
Getting Started Before you even think about growing out your hair, you must get a trim. We know, it sounds super counterproductive (and we know all too well how scissor-happy some stylists can get), but if your ends are split, they become prone to breakage. After three months or more, the length you've acquired becomes null and void.
Saviano advises getting a trim every eight to 10 weeks, but if you're planning to grow out your hair, you can stretch it to 10. It's also important to be open, specific, and clear with your hairdresser. "Tell [them] to just dust the ends. There’s a cut, trim, and dusting, and at this point, when you’re really trying to let it grow, get a dusting...which is a minor, minor trim," he says.
Celebrity hairstylist Garren echoes the trim sentiment, but also recommends going a step further and getting bangs. What, bangs?They won't help your hair grow faster. But Garren notes that they'll make you look cooler (and younger, if that's what you're going for) during the growing-out process.
"Let's say you have a bob that’s just below the chin, or just at the chin, and you want to grow it out so it gets long. The cool thing to do would be cutting fringe that is very short, so you have a very modern, cool-looking haircut as the sides grow out," he says. "It’s one of those eye-catchers that sort of distracts from what's going on... You’re getting what you want at the end of the rainbow — which is your longer hair — but in the meantime you have a definite look, which helps."
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
The Beginning Stages You got your dusting done and out of the way; maybe you even opted for some bangs. Now, the hair-growing process can truly begin. You've already taken care of the ends, so now it's time to give the rest some loving.
"You want to make sure your hair is super-healthy, all the way from scalp to the ends," notes Saviano. One of the biggest no-nos, which he often sees happen, is not enough moisturizing. “Do a mask once a week. Leave it in for, like, five minutes or, if you have time, 20 minutes," he recommends. "The benefits are endless."
Stay away from alcohol-based products (this is especially true for ladies with curly hair), make sure both your shampoo and conditioner are safe and nourishing, and don't neglect your ends during the conditioning process. "If you don’t condition the ends, again, you get breakage," Saviano says. "[Hair] grows at the scalp, but you won’t get length from it. So you want to take care of your hair in every possible way."
Saviano is also a big fan of scalp stimulation. Brushing it or massaging it with the tips of your fingers helps increase circulation, which, he notes, makes a notable difference in hair growth.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Get you a product that can do both. This shampoo doubles as a face and body wash, too.
Meant The Do-All Wash, $31, available at Meant Simply.
Beauty writer Mi-Anne Chan was already into The Seaweed Bath Co.'s body wash, but also loves the shampoo, too. "The hydrating formula didn't disappoint and left my hair feeling clean, but not deprived of moisture. It's a win-win!" she says. And while their conditioner technically isn't alcohol-free (it contains Cetearyl Alcohol), it's one of the "good," fatty kinds.
The Seaweed Bath Co. Unscented Moisturizing Argan Conditioner, $12.99, available at The Seaweed Bath Co.
Naturalistas love this holy grail good, chockfull of soothing aloe leaf and smell-good calendula flower.
Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo, $10, available at Carol's Daughter.
Lavender oil and panthenol strengthen brittle hair, making this perfect for anyone with parched strands.
EO Daily Shampoo for Normal Hair, $6.15, available at Target.
Curly girls and guys around the world sing the praises of this mask, made with cupuaçu, murumuru, and cacao butters.
Devacurl Heaven in Hair Intense Moisture Treatment, $28, available at Devacurl.
Finding a hair mask that costs less then $10, but feels rich and thick enough to feel like prestige, is a keeper in our books.
Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Repairing Mask, $5.49, available at Target.
This thick, heavenly-smelling formula is meant to saturate your strands. The instructions suggest covering your hands with it, as opposed to starting with a quarter-sized dollop in your palm, then work it through from ends to roots. (We suggest you play by the rules on this one.)
Vernon François Whipped Deep Conditioner, $39, available at Vernon François.
In The Interim... Living in an age of instant gratification, it can often become extremely frustrating when your hair grows as slow as molasses. To help jump-start the process, both Saviano and Garren recommend reaching for some vitamins.
Biotin and Viviscal are two of the most popular hair-boosting supplements out there. They both help improve the keratin infrastructure (keratin is a basic protein that makes up not only your hair, but also your skin and nails). Research also shows that Viviscal Pro has the ability to keep up to 80% more hair on your head before you naturally shed it, and can increase strand diameter so your mane looks fuller.
Not sold on the benefits of these vitamins? You can always get your fix of protein through food. Saviano is a strong believer in the benefits of avocados, and you can't go wrong with adding nuts and dark-green veggies to your diet. This, combined with a regular workout, will definitely speed up growth.
Still not seeing a noticeable difference? Think back to the last few times you styled your hair: Did it involve a lot of blowdrying, straightening, or curling? That could be your problem. "Lay off the irons, because they can break your hair and make your ends drier," he says. "Curling irons are like 400 degrees, and that’s not to be taken lightly. Even when you do it fast, the ends still stay in the curling iron for, like, one or two seconds."
If you use hot tools once in a while, Garren advises being selective. "Make sure that you’re using the proper tools that have some kind of coating on them, so that they don’t burn the hair," he says. "Anything that’s a hot tool with gold or metal is going to be damaging." And always, always use a styling cream beforehand to protect your hair from the heat.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
A vitamin that gives you healthy hair, nails, and tastes like strawberry? Count us in.
Natrol Biotin 10,000 mcg Fast Dissolve Tablets, $6.99, available at Walgreens.
Editors will do a lot to have thicker, stronger hair — and this chic supplement is one of our favorites. Not only can you find it at Sephora, but the results are legit enough that we're afraid to stop taking them.
Hum Nutrition Red Carpet Hydration Supplement, $25, available at Sephora.
After three long years in the lab, hairstylist Jen Atkin debuted three different supplements that address various needs: thin, dry, and oily hair.
Ouai Supplements, $28 to $84, available at The Ouai.
A ceramic-covered iron provided a shield between your hair and those hot, frying plates.
InStyler Cerasilk Woven Ceramic Styling Iron, $115, available at InStyler.
For further protection, slick this well-loved cream on before passing the iron through your hair.
Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream, $37, available at Ulta Beauty.
The Homestretch You made it to the three-month mark, and that alone deserves kudos. At this point, you should have gotten another trim, be regularly conditioning your hair, and taking your vitamins and/or eating those protein-heavy foods. Your mane should have at least an inch and a half of growth, and might slowly but surely be making its way into the awkward not-short-but-not-long stages.
If this part of the process frustrates you to no end, Garren says that opting for extensions is a good workaround. This kind of protective styling allows your hair to continue growing, gives off the impression of length, and can be worn for several months when cared for properly and if your hair is in a healthy state.
There are many weave types out there, but Garren recommends sticking to the tape-in version. “I think the tape ones are much more safe… They're holding on to an inch-width of hair, so the tension or the drag on the root of that hair is equal," he says. "When you use the little beaded ones, you’re hooking like 40 hairs onto six and that pull actually tears your own hair after a while because of the way it’s connected."
At the end of the day, keep in mind that growing out your hair is going to take some time. You might shed tears, you might find yourself turning back, or you might fall in love with one stage in the process and stick with it for a while. Whatever happens, if you use this as your guide you'll have a solid foundation for your journey.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
Craving a little extra length? Add these in and you might be almost close enough to rival Nicki Minaj's.
Satin Strands Tape In Santiago 18 Inch Human Hair Extensions, $94.99, available at Sally's Beauty.
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You can't talk about Glossier without talking about "Glossier skin." Images of fresh-faced young women with naturally clear, plump, luminous complexions are a key part of the brand's identity, like Chanel's interlocking C's or the Nike swoosh. These women smooth on the Priming Moisturizer to enhance their natural dewiness before applying the Perfecting Skin Tint to even out their already-even complexions, dabbing the Stretch Concealer here and there on "problem areas," like their nonexistent dark circles and the occasional pimple. (Just the one.)
Glossier's products are the icing on an already-beautiful cake, for the every-girl whose mother was a model and whose father owns a record label. But for the regular people, the ones with the dark spots and the clogged pores and the hormonal acne, who want that Glossier skin but don't have Glossier genes (or just aren't 16 anymore), the brand has created a solution. It is called, literally, Solution.
Out today, Solution marks Glossier's first venture into the world of real-deal skin care. Which is not to say that there's anything wrong with the existing offerings — it's just that this is the first time they've come out with something this powerful. That would be a surprisingly gentle blend of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) in the form of lactic and glycolic acids, which exfoliate the skin's surface; beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) salicylic acid, which penetrates deep into the skin to unclog pores and stave off acne; and the lesser-known polyhydroxy acid (PHA) gluconolactone, which increases the formula's potency while balancing out the other, more abrasive ingredients to keep it kosher for sensitive skin.
If you're familiar with other exfoliating liquids like Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid and Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion, then you already know what to expect — a slight holy-shit-is-my-face-burning tingle the first time you apply it and, after just a few days of use, a miraculously clearer, happier complexion. That's the magic of chemical exfoliation. But Glossier is harnessing those already-extant powers and bringing them to the people in the most Glossier way possible: by putting them in a pretty millennial-pink bottle with a push-down pump on top to easily soak your Glossier-branded cotton rounds (also out today).
I'm not mad about it — and neither is the brighter, smoother, more even skin I've uncovered after two full weeks of hitting the bottle after cleansing and before moisturizing every night. The combination of active ingredients has even made it possible for me to simplify my routine, which officially puts me one step closer to being a wash-and-go, easy, breezy, genetically blessed Glossier girl... and damn, it feels good.
Glossier Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector, $24, available at Glossier.
Ever since our phones stopped auto-deleting the extra "makeup" from "no-makeup makeup," many of us accepted the phrase as not only a much-discussed trend, but also a lifestyle choice. And it's one that most of us fully embrace — if only on rushed mornings.
It makes sense: Skin is always in, but when dealing with the skin on your face, your options for showing your best barefaced look tend to rely on some amount of foundation or concealer, which, as you know, can feel heavy to some and require time to apply. So what are you to do if you hate foundation, or just don't have the time, but still want some coverage?
Lucky for all of us, there is plenty of face makeup out there made by like-minded brands that understand our mutual hatred and frustration with heavy foundation. But the best part of our favorite lightweight face products? They're all able to be applied with your (clean) fingers.
Culled from both the drugstore and luxury beauty counters alike, all in varying degrees of coverage, the options ahead will become staples in your makeup bag. We promise there are no complex techniques to confuse you here, just foolproof makeup that looks like anything but. After all, a truly solid no-makeup makeup routine begins (and basically ends) with the complexion.
We love a good BB cream, but what we love even more is a BB cream that helps heal pimples. The hero ingredient, ginseng, helps soothe redness, but also aids in plumping your overall complexion so you look hydrated and fresh — never dried out or inflamed.
Sheer makeup is great, but multi-purpose products are even better. The It Cosmetics CC Cream combines your SPF, moisturizer, and base all in one, so your makeup routine is quick and simple with zero fuss.
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+, $38, available at Ulta Beauty.
Intensity Level: 2 Finish: Satin
Most tinted sunscreens are incredibly sheer, but this one provides a touch more coverage. Plus, that high SPF is #skingoals.
This tinted moisturizer has got to be the glossiest finish for a daily hydrator we've ever tried. The tint is just enough to cover spots, blemishes, and undereye bags. But the best part is that your complexion is left looking healthy and radiant (Martha Stewart even loves it).
If you love Charlotte Tilbury's Wonder Glow, then you'll absolutely flip for the brand's Light Wonder Foundation. It packs the same radiance, with just enough coverage for every day. In reality, the finish is more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation, but it's simple to build up when you want more coverage.
Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation, $46, available at Nordstrom.
Intensity Level: 1 Finish: Dewy
This sheer, tinted sunscreen offers just enough coverage to tone down redness and discoloration while letting your natural skin show through.
SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair SPF 34 Tinted, $68, available at SkinMedica.
Intensity Level: 3 Finish: Semi-matte
If you’re going for the no-makeup makeup look, why not pick one cleverly named after the trend? Dr. Perricone’s line of skin care masquerading as makeup offers the ideal product for the skin care obsessed. This serum/makeup hybrid incorporates the brand's go-to anti-aging ingredients, like neuropeptides, alpha lipoic acid, and vitamin C, to help minimize fine lines, correct uneven pigmentation, and nourish your skin with antioxidants, all while cleverly and naturally disguising any uneven tone or dullness as soon as you smear it on. With UV protection, to boot, this easily makes our trapped-on-a-desert-island list.
Sheer and matte don't often go hand-in-hand — until now. Nars' Radiant Tinted Moisturizer and Radiant Concealer are already cult favorites, but now the brand has released a velvet matte skin tint — in a similar spirit as its popular velvet matte lip crayons. The suede-like texture offers medium-to-full coverage, depending on how much you layer it. Oil-free with blurring powders, this skin tint helps control shine all day and gives your skin a pillowy, soft appearance. You’ll rejoice at how it doesn’t feel greasy or cakey like many skin tints with heavier coverage — and you don't even need powder.
You may be asking yourself how one product can have eight benefits, but Maybelline's Skin Perfector actually tops our list of multitasking face products. Why? Smooth it on to blur imperfections, brighten, even skin tone, and hydrate. Consider it makeup for a flawless face on a budget. It offers light coverage that most noticeably serves as a tinted moisturizer, giving your skin a natural fresh finish that reads more velvet than dewy. You can liken it to Maybelline’s Baby Lips, but in the form of a BB cream — which means you can expect hydration and suppleness with just the right amount of dew. We're on board.
The name of this light foundation from Eve Lom says it all. Its sheer formula is buildable, so you can use a tap, or a dollop, to give yourself a wash of color that evens out your skin tone with a natural finish that delivers what it promises: radiant skin. You’re left looking softly glowing, served up by a silky texture rather than shimmer bits that purport dewiness, but often end up portraying YA fictional vampires in sunlight.
Eve Lom Sheer Radiance Oil-Free Foundation, $50, available at Nordstrom.
Intensity Level: 2 Finish: Radiant
For the highlighter -obsessed, this illuminating tinted moisturizer brings a natural glow into the day. How? This sheer, buildable tint has micro-particles of shimmer for a luminous, blurred effect that diffuses light to make your skin look like something out of a magazine spread, but still natural in bright light.
Let us explain: When we say micro particles, we mean micro — barely visible in the formula, but when applied, you can see the reflective properties that are inexplicably like liquid light, giving you a literal lit-from-within appearance. On first smear, don’t be surprised if you involuntarily utter a “whoa.” We did, too.
A drugstore favorite for sensitive skin, Aveeno’s tinted moisturizer offers SPF 30 in a sheer, brightening formula specked with barely visible light-reflecting minerals that offer a subtle blurring effect. This means your skin still looks like your skin, which is kind of the point, isn’t it? The lightweight coverage is noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic, so you won’t have to fuss in case you’re worried about exacerbating any redness. The best part? Since it’s oil-free, you’re spared the midday shine potentially made doubly blinged-out from its already “light-reflecting” nature.
This formula is brand-new to the market, but it’s already amassed a huge fan base thanks to its weightless, medium-coverage finish, serum-like feel, and impressive shade range. The silky texture blends like a dream and leaves skin looking totally natural — just… better.
The Ordinary Colours Serum Foundation, $6.70, available at The Ordinary.
Intensity Level: 4 Finish: Natural
A favorite in the BB cushion world, Laneige’s BB Cushion Compact offers a much wider range of shades than many Korean beauty brands, plus it’s easier to find stateside — just go to your local Target, its exclusive U.S. distributor. The light-to-medium coverage is buildable, depending on how much you pat on with the cushion. Like most BB creams, this compact contains skin-care elements to help combat pigmentation, so you can cover up and treat simultaneously. The cushion makes this idiot-proof to apply and reapply throughout the day to control shine or dullness. And with SPF 50, this one offers the most protection of the bunch.
Barely-there makeup isn’t exactly the type of thing we’ve come to expect from MAC (their usual offerings are more along the lines of outrageously bright lipsticks and gloss for your eyelids), but this recent addition is the Platonic ideal of a lightweight, complexion-perfecting foundation that feels more like skin care than makeup.
MAC Next To Nothing Face Colour, $31, available at Nordstrom.
Intensity Level: 1 Finish: Natural
This hydrating tint feels barely-there weightless, but you'll definitely know you're wearing it once you look in the mirror — your skin will have a lit-from-within glow. Since the formula is so sheer, it just kind of evens out skin tone for everyday wear. Sometimes, that's all you need... and SPF 15, of course.
Touted as being even lighter than a tinted moisturizer, this bottle of magic is ideal for those who want sheer, breathable coverage to even out minor tonal variations.
A primer and BB cream in one, this skin tint takes to task the responsibility of evening out your skin tone, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, and setting your canvas for whatever comes next (blush, concealer, or foundation). The fluid-like formula is quite sheer. but its primer-like performance means it masks pores, fills in fine lines, and primes blemishes to be dabbed with concealer. But the best part is you can wear this alone for a light tint, or layer on proper foundation, concealer, and makeup, just in case you ever decide to hate foundation a little less. Since it’s a primer, the way it appears upon application is the way it’ll appear right before you wash your face at night. Translation: It lasts all day.
This sheer foundation from natural beauty heavyweight SheaMoisture offers an impressive range of shades in a buildable formula, despite the "sheer" moniker. It’s formulated with shea butter (naturally), vitamin E, and aloe to pamper those with dry skin and take care of some anti-aging concerns while it’s at it. It’s a workhorse of a foundation, but still good for everyday use, offering light-to-full coverage without getting cakey or greasy looking.
Tinted moisturizers that adjust to your natural skin tone are perfect for days you can't be bothered with makeup brushes. This new formula from Origins does just that, and leaves behind a sheer wash of color that looks healthy and fresh.
Origins SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer, $37, available at Origins.
Intensity Level: 1
Finish: Dewy
There's a reason Sephora stores can't keep this CC cream stocked: It's the one-shade-fits-all solution for anyone with a lackluster complexion. The formula feels like nothing on skin, but you'll definitely notice that you’re wearing it, since it leaves behind a subtle, filtered glow. Translation: Just what you need for summer.
From one of our favorite more-natural brands, this under-the-radar formula offers up a feast of complexion-perfecting ingredients wrapped up in one CC cream. The coconut water will keep your skin soft all day long, the SPF will protect, and the light tint provides a wash of skin-evening color.
Pacifica Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation, $18, available at Ulta Beauty.
Intensity Level: 3
Finish: Natural
If you want your tinted moisturizer to actually moisturize, then Inglot's got the solution. The brand's creams are packed with three vitamins and saffron extract to give you soft skin (and an impressive finish).
"The silky formula is lightweight enough to wear every day, packed with mineral SPF 30 and antioxidants, and melts into skin like a drop of the beloved Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (which is nearly twice the price)," R29 beauty news editor Kelsey Castañon says. "When I first tried it, it was like I wasn't actually wearing anything on my face at all — yet somehow my shadows were gone, my pores were smaller, and my skin tone was even."
First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Triple Protection Skin Tint SPF 30, $34, available exclusively at Sephora.
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"Boxer braids." "Bobby-pin headbands." "Inside-out plaits." Those are just a few of the phrases people have used to describe what are really cornrows, Doobie wraps, and Dutch braids. No big deal? Well, actually that mislabeling is exactly where cultural appropriation happens. It's not just about taking from other cultures, but taking without giving credit.
While there are many people who blatantly rip off Black hairstyles, I recognize that others are simply uneducated about them. And with more braided hairstyles flooding our feeds than ever, confusion is something that's bound to happen. "Braiding and twisting requires the same manipulation," Devri Velázquez, an editor at Naturally Curly, tells Refinery29. "We are intertwining and weaving hair. They're closely-knit together as far as definitions go, but with the proper amount of education and research beforehand, it eliminates the potential for the stylist and client [to misidentify them]."
So, to help clear things up, Velázquez and I are breaking down the exact differences between cornrows, French braids, and other commonly confused plaits, ahead.
Let's start with the basics, shall we? A three-strand braid is quite possibly the easiest plait on the planet. Divide your hair into three sections, and cross the left and right pieces over the middle one until you get to the ends.
Photo: Via @les.coiffures.d.alien.
French Braid
Once you master the three-strand braid, you can move on to the French braid, which includes picking up pieces from either side of your head and adding it to the braid as you work.
Photo: Via @little.raposeira.
Upside Down French Braid
To incorporate a French braid into a high and tight topknot, take your French braid and invert it, starting from the bottom and working your way up.
@christienholtkamp
Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid looks complicated, but it's actually quite easy. Just divide the hair into two sections and grab a small piece of hair from the outside of the right section and cross it over to the middle of the left section. Repeat the same process on the opposite side. Still lost? Check out this tutorial.
Photo: Via @cfriedericks_.
Cornrows
Whether you have one leading into a ponytail or eight going back to the nape of your neck, they're cornrows all the same. You can spot them as a series of tight, three-strand braids weaved close to the scalp. The main difference between cornrows and French braids is that you cross sections under, not over, to make them pop off the head.
Photo: Via @queenveehair.
Cornrows Bangs
Fringe is trending in a major way, and these rad cornrow bangs prove that the look works on every texture.
@mmras_hairtique
Boxer Braids
"Boxer braids" are also cornrows. Glad we cleared that up.
Photo: Via @hairbyruslan.
Dutch Braids
The main difference between Dutch braids and cornrows is in the weaving. With Dutch braids, you cross your strands under while holding the hair up at an angle, to create a bit of height, and you often pull apart the braid at the end for added volume. With cornrows, you braid going down for a tighter, flatter effect against the scalp.
Photo: Via @lorealhair.
Ghana Braids
According to Poetic Justice Braids, the major difference between Ghana braids and cornrows is that your extensions are intertwined with your natural hair as the braids go back; this makes them larger than traditional cornrows.
Photo: Via @adion.style.
Goddess Braids
Goddess braids, which are often braided in a spiral-like pattern, are commonly confused with Ghana braids, with reason. "The only difference, in my opinion, is that the size of braids vary with Goddess braids," Velázquez says. "You can have them big, or more micro. But they're both braided as close to the scalp as possible. They're versatile in the sense that they can be worn up or down."
Photo: Via @gazagirl00.
Feed-In Braids
These are like Goddess braids, except there's tiny cornrows in between each big braid. Why? Because they look good. "This just allows more space in between each braid, so you can see the scalp," says Velázquez. "These braids are really for aesthetic purposes. It's not any more protective... just a way to make things look more natural."
Photo: Via @debobraids.
Tree Braids
With tree braids, your stylist does cornrows but leaves the bulk of your extensions loose, according to Neno Natural. The braids are knotted to keep them from unraveling.
Photo: Via @nanasbraids.
Crochet Braids
With crochet braids, your extensions are attached onto your cornrows using a crochet hook. Many prefer this style over tree braids because it's easier to reuse the hair. (But I, personally, have some feelings.)
Photo: Via @dopecurls_tina.
For this style, Camille of Sabrina's Beauty in Orlando, Florida, used two to three packs of 4A bohemian curl hair, then added Bantu knots for added interest.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SABRINA'S BEAUTY.
Havana Twists
A favorite among the natural hair community, these large twists are often done with soft extensions and use the invisible root method to look more natural. Because the extensions are higher quality, you can leave them in for longer without unraveling. (That's also up to the expertise of your stylist.)
Photo: Via @umonahair.
Marley Twists
The biggest difference between Marley Twists and Havana Twists is that the hair is more affordable. Natural Hair Rules also explains that the parted sections are more generous.
Photo: Via @junesvyda.
Senegalese Twists
These twists are slimmer than Havanas, and often use a silkier hair, like Kanekalon.
Photo: Via @mrsreddbone2010.
Box Braids
Box braids, also known as Poetic Justice braids, are single three-strand plaits made from small, sectioned-off parts, or boxes.
Photo: Via @fraichebeauty.
Triangular parts is a fresh (and on-trend) way to switch up your style.
Photo: Via @hairbysusy.
Check out our video with YouTuber Jasmine Brown, who explores the history of the style (while getting a dope set of her own braids).
Photo: Via @jasmeannnn.
Milkmaid Braid
After pinning two (or sometimes three) braids together in a circular shape around the head, many stylists rough up the hair for a wispy, etherial effect. "This braid typically looks better on straighter, finer hair, or those with a slight wave," notes Velázquez. "Some people care about snatched edges. Some don't. I personally don't use edge tamers or pomades. I think this style works for those who do, though."
Photo: Via @marianneroza_beautifulbridecom.
Halo Braid
Naturals love halo braids, also typically made up of two pinned three-strand braids or fishtails braids. This style usually rests along the hairline. Some even braid a few cornrows within the empty space between the circle.
Photo: Via @_sunkizzed.
Micro Braids
If you blink, you'll miss these teeny tiny plaits. These take hours to do (and usually more than one set of hands), but they last for months and can be styled in a multitude of ways.
Photo: Via @theonlytyronza.
Kinky Twists
Just as the name suggests, kinky twists are made with a kinkier grade of synthetic hair. The twists are usually chunky and curly at the ends.
Photo: Via @mmras_hairtique.
Braided Bun
This updo is actually a lot easier to copy than it looks. Styled into two Dutch braids that are then wrapped together in a bun at the nape of the neck, it's an elegant take on the messy updo.
@les.coiffures.d.alien
Bantu Knots Bantu knots are another protective style great for natural hair — which is good enough on its own — but just wait until you release them. (Spoiler alert: The style results in rad curls.)
Take a small section of your hair and wrap it around itself until your "knot" is formed. It's also a style that looks cool with twists and braids, too.
Photographed by Courtney Yates.
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Foreplay often doesn't get enough credit — not to mention time or attention. In one study of heterosexual couples published in the Journal of Sexual Research, both women and men reported that their ideal duration of foreplay was 20 minutes. Most participants, however, reported spending an average of only about half that much time on foreplay. This neglected step in your sexual escapades can be the key to an even more explosive main course, though — whatever that may be. ("Main course" doesn't have to mean intercourse!)
To celebrate the build-up to whichever activity is the star attraction of your sexual encounters, we're sharing people's accounts of their favorite forms of foreplay. From oiled-up massages to dirty talk to PDA, these techniques set a sexy tone. They might even inspire you to up your own foreplay game. Light a massage candle and click through for the details; then, check back as we continue to update this story with fresh ideas.
"A slow, thorough foot rub — not half assed — is tops, especially when the person doing it is watching and enjoying your reactions. You don’t need to be a foot fetishist to enjoy this one"
"Firm but smartly applied hair tugging — from the root and away from the face. It's so primal." (Just make sure that your partner is okay with this before you try it.)
“You may be keen to slide straight into pound town after a few minutes of fumbling around [when you're going] down [on someone], but keep on truckin'. Make yourself at home until she's begging you for the D. The extra build up will be more fun for her, and she'll be closer to the edge if she hasn't come already. All this means that there's less pressure to be Mr. Marathon Man, so you'll have your fun without worrying about blowing it before she's done.” [Reddit]
"The key to good foreplay is actually doing it for long enough. However long you think you should spend on foreplay, double it at least."
"I love when my partner takes a really long time to coax my boobs out of my bra so that I'm begging for it by the time they're fully exposed."
"Lots of ear nuzzling and nibbling. It tweaks my whole nervous system."
"I love talking! I have fought this idea for a long time, thinking it sounds ‘lame,' but I feel I can now honestly say that a great, well-connected conversation with my husband opens up my entire body and spirit to him the way nothing else really does. Also, amazing music, which he is really great at curating — it’s one more thing that I fought for a while but realize now is huge for the mood factor. Physically speaking, though, I love a great make-out and a comfortable, cozy bed set-up. As I'm typing all of this out, I realize I like to feel really safe in every way, and that is my biggest turn-on.”
Illustrated by: Paola Delucca.
“I love it when my guy plays with my clit before sex, but it can be almost painful when he touches it directly on the head. It feels much better when he rubs the hood or the side, then maybe licks it and sucks on it gently, then puts his fingers inside of me to give it a break before returning his attention to it. That builds up the sensation and keeps me from getting so sensitive that we have to stop.”
Illustrated by: Paola Delucca
“Play with my nipples! Softly at first, and then pinch, bite, twist, and squeeze them. I like them to hurt a little bit. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you if it gets to be too much. Also, it feels really luxurious when my partner and I spend more than just a few minutes on foreplay — when we get up to 15 minutes of foreplay or more is when intercourse feels the best."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"Do not be afraid to break out a vibrator with your partner! I love it when my boyfriend uses my Hitachi Magic Wand on me — and he really loves it when I use it on myself for him to watch.”
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"Honestly, the best foreplay might be just talking about what turns you on and what you want your partner to do to you. It sounds so obvious, and it is, but people don’t do it as much as they should, instead trying to figure everything out by trial and error. I’m not saying spontaneity isn’t sexy, but I love it when someone looks me in the eyes and asks what they can do to make me feel good."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"I love to watch an Italian film called Come Undone. It tracks the lifespan of an adulterous relationship between two people: their meeting, their affair, and then (spoiler) their downfall and break-up. The sex scenes themselves are pretty amazing. (Again, it's an Italian film.) But I do have to say, I think that I also love this movie because cheating is one of those weird fantasies of mine. Not something I'd do in a healthy relationship, of course — but there's something exciting in the thought of carrying on a sexy affair and always wondering if you're going to get caught."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"A little PDA — public making-out or over-the-pants stimulation — is so crazy-underrated."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"I have this scented massage oil that feels like liquid jelly, minus the stickiness. I like to rub his shoulders and back with it. Usually, after a few minutes, he'll get so turned on that he will flip me over, and we'll start making out... It really turns me on, too — and I love the feeling of the oil on my body."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"69-ing or simply sitting on my partner’s face — either facing his feet or the other way — always does it for me. There’s something so intimate about it, and the position hits all the right spots."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"Fingering. Attention, men: The choices are not limited to penis or tongue. Manual stimulation can be better than both, in my humble opinion. It's also really nice if there's some manual stimulation while he's whispering dirty stuff into my ear."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"One of the hottest things my partner does is when we’re in public, surrounded by people...he leans in to whisper in my ear how much he wants me: 'You look so good in that dress — I’m going to rip it off you later,' or 'I can’t wait to get you home.' I can actually feel myself getting wet, and until we get home, we have a little secret that heightens our anticipation."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"With long-term partners, I really like to take a shower together. Especially after work — really wash off the day so I can feel clean and not stressed. [It's a] great way to reset for both parties, and a great excuse to just chuck your clothes off immediately."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
"The sexiest thing my partner can do for me is to just touch me all over. My current partner likes to take his time and run his fingers all up and down my body to start. Then, he likes to rub my back and my legs and eventually work his way up until he's stimulating me with his fingers. Just the attention he gives me by touching me all over is such a turn-on that it instantly gets me in the mood."
Illustrated By Paola Delucca.
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Modern Money Mattersis Refinery29 and Chase's exploration of what the modern American family really looks like — from starting a family to moving — and what it actually costs to make it all happen.
While there is still plenty of progress to be made in the fight for equal pay, women earn more money than ever before. Many provide for their households, either by themselves or with a lower-earning partner. For some families, this shakes up long-established gender dynamics.
To find out more about what this reality looks like from a societal and financial standpoint, we partnered with Chase to look at the lives of real women who provide for their families. But first, we decided to dig into the numbers — looking at the rates of female breadwinners, single moms, and stay-at-home partners, and how income impacts their families.
To read about how one woman took control of her financial power to be a single mom by choice, click here.
Sources:
Pew Research Center analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, accessed via pewsocialtrends.org; Pew Research Center analysis of Decennial Census and American Community Surveys (ACS) Integrated Public Use Microdata Sample (IPUMS) files, accessed digitally; Pew Research Center analysis of Breadwinner Moms, accessed digitally; 2016 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement, United States Census Bureau; Refinery29 Millennial Breadwinner survey, 2017; Gender Identity And Relative Income Within Households by Bertrand, Kamenica, and Pan, accessed digitally.
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The musical chairs of creative directors and fashion houses has never been more congested, and as of Wednesday, January 17, there are more designers than the fingers on a hand in need of a new home gig. On Thursday, Kim Jones, artistic director of Louis Vuitton men's, will add his name to that list. The designer announced his departure, via WWD, which will take effect following his fall 2018 show in Paris. Cue the world's smallest violin playing for the hypebeasts across the globe.
But really, Jones departure signals the end of an era for the French maison. For the past six years, Jones, previously of British luxury goods label Dunhill, found the voice of Vuitton's men's line, adding to it his own personal flare for luxury fashion that cross-pollinates across high- and street-level trends. Jones was appointed by then-creative director Marc Jacobs in 2011, but his arguably strongest collections were those that happened most recently, from spring 2017 to now, which saw monogrammed chokers, a Supreme collaboration, and the revival of vintage motifs found on hundred-year-old trunks and cases.
"It has been a huge privilege to work with Kim," said Vuitton chairman and chief executive officer Michael Burke, in a statement confirming the news. "His ability to set trends is impeccable, and his talent and determination have ensured that Louis Vuitton is firmly placed as the leading brand in luxury men’s wear today. All of us who have been fortunate to work with Kim wish him continued success in his next venture." Considering Jones can be lauded as the mastermind behind some of the brand's most successful and mainstream collaborations, he's absolutely right. Jones echoed the statement in an Instagram post where he thanked his Vuitton team and collaborators throughout the years.
The jury is still out on his next move, but Jones' departure only adds to the rumors that've already circulated the industry pipeline, which include possible jumps to Versace or Burberry. As for his replacement, Off-White designer Virgil Abloh's name has been thrown about, though he dismisses the speculations. Until the aforementioned brands, including Vuitton, are sorted, die-hard Jones stans will no doubt spend the next season flocking to the nearest boutiques and re-sale shops to cop the lasting pieces of his historic work. And we'll be watching closely to see what he does next.
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Update: White House physician Dr. Ronny L. Jackson may not have found any reason “to think the president has any issues with his thought processes” during Donald Trump’s first physical examination since taking office, but the results did confirm another rumor about the POTUS’s head: The man just doesn’t grow hair like he used to.
As first disclosed by his former longtime physician Dr. Harold N. Bornstein last year, the official White House report states that Trump does indeed take a small dose of Propecia, a prescription drug that treats male-pattern baldness. No word on whether or not Dr. Jackson's examination succeeded in validating the president's unsubstantiated claims of being a "very stable genius."
This story was originally published on February 2, 2017.
The curious case of Donald Trump’s hair has been mystifying the masses since the ‘80s, when he first came into the public eye as a larger-than-life businessman known to the press as The Donald. Now that The Donald is The President of the United States, people are less concerned with his is-it-or-isn’t-it combover and beige dye job than they are with whether we're going to war with Iran next week.
But in the event that you’re still stuck on the particulars of the infamous ‘do, know this: President Trump’s longtime physician, Dr. Harold N. Bornstein, confirmed to the New York Times that his powerful client (though who knows for how long — we can't see this reveal going over well) does indeed take hair-growth pills to keep his fine, fluffy texture on the up and up. Trump has a standing prescription for Propecia, a well-known drug that treats male-pattern baldness. Aside from popping the pills, here are some other things that Mr. Trump does:
Welcome to Money Diaries, where we’re tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working millennials: money. We’re asking people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: a land use planner who makes $63,500 per year, and spends some of his money this week on a Wings + Horns fleece robe.
Occupation: Land Use Planner Industry: Municipal Government Age: 39 Location: Denver, CO Salary: $63,500 Paycheck (Biweekly): $1,606.18 Gender: Transgender FTM (closeted, pre-HRT)
Monthly Expenses Housing Costs: $2,461. I pay $821; my partner pays the rest. Loan Payments: $787 to cover car loan, student loans, and credit cards.
All Other Monthly Expenses Pension, Life Insurance, Healthcare: My monthly pension is deducted from my paycheck pre-tax. My life insurance and healthcare expenses for my high deductible plan are also auto-deducted from my paycheck. Therapy Appointments: $240/week for co-pays. (I have to meet a $1,500 deductible each year for my healthcare plan.) Parking: $205/month for parking downtown Roth IRA: $200 HOA Dues: $185 Auto & Homeowner's Insurance: $156 Cell Phone: $70 Google Music: $10.36 Other: My partner makes $98,000/year, so he pays for our $68/month solar panels, the $40 secondary HOA monthly dues, our variable gas bill ($25-$95 from summer to winter), and our $70/month security system bill. He also pays for almost all our restaurant meals. We do maintain almost totally separate finances. We have one joint account at our credit union that we use to pay the mortgage; when that is due, he transfers money to the joint account, and I transfer it into my account and pay the mortgage. (We each have various bill pay, ACH, and other accounts set up to debit from our individual checking accounts to pay the bills.)
Day One
6:30 a.m. — I don't have time to eat breakfast at home, so I stop at Starbucks on my way to work for their sous vide egg bites and an extra-hot flat white. I use their app to pay and add a dollar to their tip jar. (I seriously hemorrhage so much money through their stupid app.) $11.83
1:30 p.m. — I thought I could give IF (intermittent fasting) a go, but it's 1:30 and I'm really grumpy. I get a sandwich and overpriced bottle of kombucha from the convenience store that is inside our office building. $13.66
4 p.m. — I drive an hour to far Southwest Denver for a session of neurofeedback, which I am doing as an adjunct to the weekly therapy I receive for gender dysphoria. It's a brain training regimen where you get monitors hooked up to your scalp and ears to measure your brain waves, and then you get auditory feedback to help your brain learn how to operate more calmly and with greater efficiency. Buying four sessions at once drops the price per session from $70 each to $65 each, so I buy a package. It has made a huge difference in reducing my anxiety around driving and helped boost my performance at work. $260
Daily Total: $285.49
Day Two
3:30 p.m. — My hair is getting shaggy AF, so I finally stop in to see my hairdresser. She is awesome and we spend some time chatting. I pick up a travel-sized container of Kevin Murphy Balancing Wash in addition to getting my hair cut. I had to reschedule this appointment four times due to other things coming up, so I give her an extra-good tip on top of the $65 cut. $93.25
Daily Total: $93.25
Day Three
4:30 a.m. — I wake up and my freaking menstrual cup is leaking. I have severe gender dysphoria around my monthly cycle as it is. I try to not think about it, get cleaned up, and order a new brand that a friend recommended called FemmyCycle. Hopefully, it will ship soon. Sheesh. $45.45
6:30 p.m. — My partner is cranky that I constantly steal his luxurious Wings + Horns cabin fleece robe, so when I see that their oxblood crimson color robe has gone on sale, I snap it up for him. Although the robe lists for $167 Canadian, after the exchange rate, I only pay $137.99, which is fantastic. $137.99
Daily Total: $183.44
Day Four
6:15 a.m. — My gas tank is hovering around half full. I still remember how hard it was to get gasoline after September 11, and for some reason I have a ton of anxiety around letting my tank fall below this level. I stop at the filling station on my way to work and get a half-tank of mid-grade. $19.54
7:45 p.m. — I need to stop by the grocery store to pick up a few items. What started out as picking up kitchen garbage bags turns into over $100 worth of various items. $118.54
8:30 p.m. — I have a terrible habit of using a nicotine vape pen. There's a limited-edition cucumber flavor of the mint pods I usually order, so I pick up a packet, more mint pods, and a spare USB charger for the pen itself. Sometimes I secretly vape in the bathroom at work if nobody else is in there. $55.52
Daily Total: $193.60
Day Five
5:15 a.m. — I get a publisher's notice for a new book about reducing one's risk for Alzheimer's in my email, and I read it before getting out of bed and into the shower. Even though my partner has about 500 books in our shared home library, I buy it anyway. I recently had my genome sequenced and found out that I am heterogeneous for the APOE4 "Apolipoprotein E" gene for Alzheimer's, and this book contains a doctor's regimen that promises to help reduce the risk. $9.68
12:36 p.m. — I check my online banking account and see that my subscription to Google Music has auto-debited from my checking account. I got a pair of noise-canceling Bose QC35 headphones from my partner for Christmas, which makes it possible for me to work in my ridiculously noisy office. I use Google Music to listen to binaural beats to help me focus and concentrate throughout the day.
4:33 p.m. — My car is dirty from the snow we had a few weeks ago, so I stop by the car wash on my way home from work. I've had my car for nearly two years but have never waxed it, so to assuage my guilt, I get the premium auto wash that supposedly includes a wax-like spray that is supposed to help protect the paint. $15
Daily Total: $24.68
Day Six
8:30 a.m. — Because of my gender dysphoria around my chest, I usually wear a binder, a compression garment that is designed to flatten and conceal breast tissue. I have dense fibrocystic tissue and a 36 DDD chest, so it's hard to conceal. The two binders I have been wearing don't seem to conceal as well any longer, so I buy two more during a boring meeting using my phone. They ship via Priority Mail, so hopefully, I won't have to wait too long for them to arrive. $73.25
2 p.m. — I meet one of my good friends for a late lunch at one of Denver's most-hyped restaurants, Linger, in LoHi, and overrated neighborhood in Northwest Denver. Linger used to be Olinger's Mortuary until it was converted into a restaurant. I hardly ever drink, but I'm a sucker for coconut and they have a gin fizz that's made with coconut milk, so I order one in addition to our meal. I get a Korean-style chicken bao bun and sweet potato fries, and my friend gets a vegetarian burger called the Impossible Burger that looks just like hamburger. We split the tab. $34.46
Daily Total: $107.71
Day Seven
1:30 p.m. — I have been treated for moderate to severe depression for the past 16 years. Although I was off all medication for the past four years, I was having a lot of difficulty functioning when I started therapy last summer. This is my co-pay for a 90-day supply of Prozac, or at least until I meet my $1,500 deductible for our health plan. $87.76
Daily Total: $87.76
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Earlier this month on the Golden Globes red carpet, the conversation swirled around Time’s Up, the sexual harassment prevention initiative introduced by Hollywood heavy-hitters like Shonda Rhimes, Reese Witherspoon, Emma Stone, and America Ferrera. To drum up awareness for the mission, actresses donned black and wore a pin jointly designed by stylist Arianne Phillips and jewelry designer Michael Schmidt, who put out a call-to-action for the fashion industry to join the entertainment world in its fight for equality. And on Wednesday, designers responded in a way that goes beyond simply dressing actresses and actors.
Time’s Up announced a partnership with Condé Nast and eBay to auction off a selection of the dresses and tuxedos worn during the Golden Globes. The auction begins on Friday, January 19 at 12 p.m. EST at ebay.com/timesup, during which you will be able to bid on the black gowns worn by Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Viola Davis, Tracee Ellis Ross, Margot Robbie, and more; designers including Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Diane von Furstenberg, Rosie Assoulin, and Calvin Klein have all donated pieces to the cause. Bids start at just $25, the minimum donation required to Time’s Up.
“At Condé Nast, we’ve always believed in the importance of swift action to support meaningful social change,” Anna Wintour , artistic director of Condé Nast and editor-in-chief of Vogue, said in a statement to Vanity Fair. “Through this auction powered by eBay for Charity, and harnessing the compelling pull of both fashion and activism, we’re hopeful that the black dresses worn at this year’s historic Golden Globe Awards will raise funds for the Time’s Up initiative, and serve to support the stories and voices of those who have been victims of sexual misconduct.”
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As old and esoteric as it may seem, tarot is actually one of the most customizable — and approachable — spiritual practices you'll find. Seasoned readers may cast intricate spreads (arrangements of cards pulled at random) with as many as 12 cards, but you can find insight and answers to your questions about the future by drawing just one card.
This form of tarot reading is sometimes known as "yes/no tarot," due to how well it works for answering a straightforward question. You might also hear it referred to as a single- or one-card reading.
While some tarot fans believe this approach to readings is too reductive, we'd rather think of it as efficient. You might not always have time to lay out an intricate spread of 10 or more cards — and focusing on a single card can give you a more distilled idea of how your day is going to go.
Fortunately, this isn't just a quick and dirty method for experienced readers to get their dose of tarot for the day. It's also a great practice for total beginners. One Redditor on the tarot subreddit recommended easing into your practice by drawing a card at the end of your day to see how it applies to you. Maybe, after a day of self-care and R&R, you draw the temperance card, which is often associated with moving through life methodically, gracefully, and with great attention to one's wellbeing. Or you might spend the day confronting a difficult decision, only to pull the lovers card, the card of dilemmas and harmony, at the end of it. Following this routine will help you better understand how the cards' respective meanings can show up in real life.
These retroactive readings may feel a little tedious or obvious, but they'll serve you later on, when you start drawing a card in the morning and can go about your day with a confident understanding of that card's meaning. It's only by taking your time with your tarot practice that you'll be able to form a deeper understanding of how your deck reflects your life.
Whether you're a tarot pro or a newbie, a single-card reading can be an incredibly rewarding part of your practice. For the experienced reader, it's a chance to reconnect with your deck and appreciate the wide range of meaning that each card contains. And, for the beginner, it's a great way to dip your toe in the world of tarot without feeling like you're drowning. Now, all you need to do is pick out a rad deck.
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When it comes to someone's Last Will and Testament, it's understandable to see some very specific wishes. Historically, people have even been more concerned with vanity than their do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders — like when Napoleon Bonaparte, prominent military leader during the French Revolution, reportedly requested his head be shaved and hair be made into a bracelet while the rest got divided into pieces and shared between friends and family. But it looks like there's a present-day celebrity with her own hair-specific request: Kim Kardashian West.
On Sunday's episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kris Jenner went in for reduction surgery on her earlobes. Kim, ever the supportive daughter, accompanied her mother to both the pre- and post-procedure appointments. This means that after the surgery was finished, Kim was there to check out her mom's results — and the whole debacle must have gotten her thinking.
Photo Courtesy of E!
During the appointment, Kim mentioned something that had us gasping more than when we found out about Khloé's pregnancy (which happened in the same episode). "I put it in my will that I have to always have my hair done if I’m, like… cannot… talk to myself or, like communicate," she explained while brushing her butt-grazing hair extensions.
And if you thought Kim being at her mother's side during the post-ops was kind, her next comment might earn her the daughter-of-the-year award: "Mom, I’ll make sure that your hair’s always done. If you don’t know your name, you’ll have great hair." There is nothing like some beauty reassurance to lighten up a morbid moment, are we right?
There are a lot of expert tips out there on how to avoid the aches that come with wearing high heels. But take it from Mandy Moore: Beauty doesn't have to be painful. For a celebrity that's constantly walking red carpets thanks to the breakout hit This Is Us, the actress knows how to ensure her shoes don't cramp her style. The star's biggest tip? Cannabis oil.
Moore recently revealed in an interview with Coveteur that there are certain steps she takes to help. "I always try to choose really comfortable shoes, because as I’ve gotten older I just can’t hack being in heels for an extended period of time,” she told the online publication. "Last year I thought I had gone for a pair of comfortable heels, but by the end of the night I was in so much pain I felt like I was walking on glass, so I kind of ended the evening early…" Luckily, Moore's stylist Erica Cloud recommended Lord Jones’s CBD Oil, which features the controversial ingredient.
"I asked her if there was some kind of numbing cream, and she was like, ‘No! [Try] Lord Jones CBD Oil.' So it could be a really exciting evening! I could be floating this year,” she said. And while we don't know how Moore felt once the star-studded night was over, at least she didn't have to end her night prematurely.
Despite the legal restrictions surrounding CBD use in topical products, it's particularly effective in reducing inflammation and pain (and we know from experience). Even Olivia Wilde is a fan! So, the next time you have a big event — or are just standing in a crowded bar for more than 30 minutes — maybe you give Moore's far-out solution a try.
Have you booked a winter break to brighten up the bleakest month of the year? We may plan our holiday wardrobe well before we head to the airport, but deciding on the skin care and makeup we're taking with us is often more last-minute. But forget creating more work for yourself (who has time to decant their favorite serums, foundations and perfumes into refillable bottles?) and instead become acquainted with these travel-friendly alternatives.
We've rounded up the bite-size beauty products that'll slide into your carryon luggage and ensure you look your best, no matter where you're traveling. Click through for our edit to avoid any eleventh-hour packing panic. Now, the biggest question remaining is, where are you headed?
No bigger than a pen, this stick concealer brightens the complexion and hides tired skin. It's buildable in coverage and blurs wrinkles, while creating a silky soft base.
Say goodbye to struggling to squeeze your favorite fragrance into your micro-mini bag with Diptyque's solid perfume. Apply the solid wax where you'd normally spray your eau de parfum.
Diptyque Solid Perfume, $50, available at Diptyque.
This non-greasy, twist-up eye makeup remover has all the benefits of Clinique's cleansing balm in a handbag-friendly stick. If you've gone straight from your desk to the airport and don't particularly enjoy spending hours in the air with a full face of makeup, a quick swipe of this will dissolve even the smokiest of eyes.
Clinique Take The Day Off Eye Make-up Remover Stick, $18.50, available at Clinique.
Famed for their precision, whip out stray hairs with these Tweezerman stainless steel compact tweezers, which fit perfectly in your travel makeup bag.
Tweezerman Mini Slant Tweezers, $15, available at Bloomingdale's.
Perhaps the chicest (most expensive) hand cream you'll ever own, this rich but non-greasy cream keeps dry hands at bay, strengthen nails, and soften cuticles during the colder months.
This highly pigmented, full-coverage concealer covers all manner of sins. We love wearing it blended on top of foundation to hide dark circles or, when pressed for time, all over the face on its own for a dewy base.
Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer, $30, available at Bobbi Brown
Apply directly to your lids and blend the creamy formula with your fingers for a crease-resistant, rich color payoff. Keep at your desk for an effortless touch-up before you head out for dinner.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour In Cobblestone, $29, available at Sephora.
NARS' iconic duo in a travel-size compact – perfect for creating a healthy glow on your way from beach to bar. Delivering an imperceptible finish that's both natural-looking and suits all skin tones, there's nothing not to love.
NARS Blush Bronzer Duo Orgasm/Laguna, $42, available at Sephora. (Currently sold out.)
Enjoy the benefits of Moroccanoil without the full-size bottle weighing your suitcase down. Use as a conditioning, styling or finishing tool for silky, healthy strands; the transformative formula detangles, boosts shine and leaves hair more manageable. Apply to dry or damp locks.
Moroccanoil Treatment Original 25ml, $15, available at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Style and define your arches with Estée Lauder's multipurpose brow tool, which has a pencil, sponge-tip applicator primed with brow powder, and a spoolie brush all in one.
Estée Lauder Brow Multitasker, $29, available at Macy's.
Don't skip out on using acids in your skincare routine simply because you're traveling. These pads combine both BHAs and AHAs to restore luminosity, reduce wrinkles, and alleviate redness.
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel 5 applications, $17, available at Sephora.
This slim brush lengthens and defines even the shortest lashes. The key ingredient, pro-vitamin B, promotes growth and prevents breakage while being helpfully water-resistant and smudge-free.
Eyeko Skinny Brush Mascara, $26, available at Eyeko.
Rihanna's newest collection of ultra-slim, matte lipsticks comes in 14 vibrant shades. We love tapping on this burgundy, wine color to create the perfect stained mouth.
Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick In Griselda, $18, available at Sephora.
Touch up on the go with Clarin's pore-perfecting kit. Mattify shine and remove excess sebum with the blotting paper, then dust over a light layer of the translucent powder to ensure your makeup lasts.
Clarins Pore Perfecting Mattifying Kit, $48, available at Nordstrom.
Achieve a flawless complexion with this 2-in-1 full coverage foundation and coordinating concealer. Cleverly hidden in the lid, the cream-based concealer is perfect for a 5 o'clock touch-up, and the liquid foundation in the bottom delivers a lightweight, matte finish.
Stila Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer, $40, available at Sephora.
A mainstay in our makeup bag, this gel-cream formula from one of our favorite brands of 2017 delivers a sheer but buildable flush of color, which can also be applied to lips for a polished, on-the-go look.
A cult favourite, Caudalie's Beauty Elixir acts as a soothing primer, tightens pores, and provides an instant boost of radiance to dull complexions. Formulated with grape extract, astringent organic mint balm, and mint essential oils, a spritz of this will rebalance and refresh skin.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, $18, available at Sephora.
talent by Annie Georgia Greenberg; produced by Brianna Donnelly; edited by Sam Russell.
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