The world’s five major religions are, for all intents and purposes, defined by their geography, the latitude and longitude by which they were first developed. To the west, there’s Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; to the east, you’ll find Hinduism and Buddhism. It has been this way for thousands of years.

But aside from their positioning on a map, there’s one essential difference between the two “types” of religion: Western religions share an overarching theme of monotheism, the faith or belief in one god, your Christ or your Allah or Yeshua, subscribing to a holy book and unquestionable religious authorities. Eastern religions, on the other hand, are characterized more so by a kind of philosophical openness, a deep-rooted sense of spirituality and time-worn tradition without hard-and-fast rules. Gurus, deities, mythology, rituals, yajna (or sacrifice), meditation, and rebirth — even the worship of plants or herbs is fair game.

And in Hinduism, which is considered a Dharma or “way of life” rather than what we think of as organized religion, that’s where tulsi comes in. Also known as holy basil, tulsi is a sacred Indian herb; you’ll find it growing in temples, in homes, in the courtyards of families who wish to display it as a form of worship. “One of the oldest surviving things in the main Jaipur fort,” the seat of Indian royalty, “is a 700-year-old tulsi plant that the queens would pay daily homage to,” says Ayurveda expert and Uma Oils founder Shrankhla Holecek. The herb’s topical and internal medicinal value is highly celebrated, both in traditional holistic preparations and the kind you can now buy at Sephora or Whole Foods.

“Tulsi is used quite broadly for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties,” Holecek explains. “It most benefits skin that is prone to inflammation and blemishes.” Those benefits are also responsible for why we’re seeing it used more and more in formulas that aim to combine Ayurvedic tradition with newer skin-care science. Recent research shows that the herb even has adaptogenic properties, meaning it actually helps strengthen the body’s natural ability to resist stress — and who doesn’t need that?

Ahead, the best tulsi-based beauty products that will bring some balance to your life and complexion… even if your only religion is skin care.

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If you're anything like us, you're probably jonesing for a one-way ticket to spring right about now. Although we can't hook you up with time travel to warmer weather, we can help you shake the winter blues by introducing some of next season's style heroes into your wardrobe early. Thanks to a fresh delivery from Cole Haan, you can already shop spring's newest footwear, including the innovative 2.ZERØGRAND with Stitchlite™. It's the brand's lightweight, breathable, and cushioned take on the classic Oxford sneaker, and it comes in a rainbow of pastel colors that will instantly brighten your getups. Whether that's a chic culottes and sweater combo or a tee and leggings look, the comfy shoe is versatile enough to go with just about anything.

Beyond the casual-cool steppers, you'll find sporty essentials for men and women like anorak jackets, sturdy duffel bags, and blush-pink aviators to round out an athleisure-inspired aesthetic. See the eight pieces we're stocking up on, ahead.

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Declining free makeup is a lot like throwing out the fortune cookie that comes with your Chinese takeout. The thrill feels a million bucks short of winning the lottery — in that it's pretty damn exciting, especially when you don't have to spend a dime. So, in the event your paycheck doesn't allow you to hit up a Sephora when you need to replenish your beauty stock, scoring an essential item in your makeup routine for free is like a blessing in disguise. And Nyx Professional Makeup is making that possible this weekend.

That's right: This Saturday, you can knock 100% (!) off a Nyx mascara. But if you, like us, are wondering, What's the catch? we can assure you there is none. In fact, it won't cost you a penny to get your hands on a fresh tube of Nyx's new Worth the Hype Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara. All you have to do is be one of the first 100 customers to bring in an old tube of mascara (from any brand). Once you're there, you can trade it in for a fresh one from Nyx. No buyer's remorse necessary.

To be a part of this offer, you have to head to your closest Nyx retail store (you can find one near you here). The promotion only runs this Saturday, February 3, so cancel those brunch plans ASAP.

If you happen to be the 70th person to waltz into the store looking for a new mascara, you don't have to worry about leaving completely empty-handed. On Saturday, Nyx will also be offering in-store makeup tutorials. But even if you can't make it this weekend, the $8 tube of Worth the Hype is still worth checking out. It may cost more than a Starbucks coffee, but we'd argue that nothing that makes you look more awake than mascara.

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The reckoning for abusive men that started in Hollywood has turned its eye towards the music industry. This week, after three women accused Republic Records group president Charlie Walk of sexual harassment and assault, he was placed on leave from the company pending an investigation and will not appear on the final episode of The Four, the Fox singing show for which he acted as a judge in its first season. He denies the allegations.

Additionally, a petition is circulating, started by Karen Scott, who is a manager to Tegan & Sarah, to remove Neil Portnow as the head of the Recording Academy following his remark that women need to "step up" in music.

Exploitative practices in country radio were examined in a stunning example of the systematic abuse of power by men in Rolling Stone. Female artists told stories of being asked to sit in the laps of program directors along with unwanted touching, and women working in radio shared horrific stories of assault and harassment.

And, Billboard released its 2018 Power 100 List to great backlash, once again, because only 17% of the list is made up of women. The industry mag notes, "men still fill most top music industry jobs." This, coupled with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative's study which found that women make up woefully low numbers of artists, songwriters, and are nearly nonexistent as producers on the top tracks of the last five years, broadcasts loudly and clearly that women are massively underrepresented in all areas of the music industry.

Since the Weinstein allegations kicked off a mass outing of men abusing their power in Hollywood, music has gone largely unexamined. Russell Simmons is probably the most high-profile person to stand accused, as a result of the Los Angeles Times investigation into his friend Brett Ratner. While Simmons is a figurehead who shaped early hip-hop, his actual executive and decision-making power in music hasn't existed for over a decade — he is tangentially in the industry, at best. (Simmons denies any relations were nonconsensual.) A few other executives have been accused, investigated by their own companies, and quietly let go or put on leave. At least one of those cases was handed over to the police as a criminal investigation. No artists have been outed. But thinking that there is no abuse in the music industry just because a spotlight hasn't been shined on it would be erroneous.

Music could have easily been ground zero for the reckoning, however, with the ousting of disgraced Epic Records president L.A. Reid back in May of 2017. Sony Music and Reid, who was also formerly a judge on The X-Factor, declined to comment on the reason he was leaving his post when the news was announced. A few days later, the New York Post revealed it had obtained correspondence proving Reid was removed from his job due to a sexual harassment complaint by his assistant; later that same day Variety reported there were multiple accusers. To date, Sony Music has not acknowledged the reason Reid was removed, and he has not made a statement about it. We may never know how many women he allegedly abused because it wasn't allowed to become a public conversation.

That behind-closed-doors deal stands in stark contrast to Walk, whose initial accuser came for him in a public blog post, while two subsequent accusations came anonymously in an industry blog. That forced Republic Records, under the Universal Music Group (UMG) to deal with the matter publicly. They announced they have obtained outside council to investigate Walk and urged any women with further accusations to speak to those lawyers.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Walk's first accuser, Tristan Coopersmith, said she wrote her blog post as a letter in November after the Weinstein allegations came to light as part of her "therapeutic process," saying that news "unlocked" something in her that forced her to deal with her feelings about his alleged harassment. After attending the Women's March in Los Angeles this January, Coopersmith said she was "profoundly impacted," citing Viola Davis's moving speech in particular. "My purpose in sharing it was to continue the conversation," Coopersmith said. "This isn't about Charlie. This isn't about the music industry...It's a much broader conversation about a massive shift we need to have in workplaces."

She's right, but part of the reason Coopersmith, unlike Reid's accusers, has been able to address this publicly is the industry-wide use of NDAs and forced arbitration, which Gretchen Carlson explained she is working to have legally outlawed on Wednesday night's episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. If Walk has other accusers who are currently working with him, they are potentially obliged by their contracts with UMG to handle it internally. If this had remained an internal matter, the company could have easily chosen not to publicize why he was leaving, should he be terminated at the end of this investigation into his conduct. And that lack of disclosure is how serial abusers, in any industry, continue to jump from company to company.

Don't believe it's true? Well, L.A. Reid is looking to make a comeback in music. Billboard reports his music publishing company, Hitco, is rumored to be making a return at any time now with a female executive heading it, former Aftermath Entertainment head Kirdis Postelle, and rumors are floating that he's raised $75 million to fund it from venture capitalists. If those people knew every detail about every woman who accused him of misconduct, would the money have kept flowing his way so freely?

It remains to be seen if the industry will take Reid back, or if artists will want to work with him.

The tidal wave that the Weinstein allegations began may have taken a moment to reach music, but now that the first man in the industry is being forced to face accusations in a similar public fashion, it's hard to imagine things returning to they way they were done even nine months ago. That's due, in part, to the way our public discourse about workplace harassment has changed and in part to women in music having numbers to back up how underrepresented they are. The blinders are now off, and women can see how low their influence in the world of music has been, with some statistics to back up the oppression they've felt. As artists rally around calling out the head of the Grammys and women in the industry seem to lose their fear of speaking out about misconduct, there's no turning back now.

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I'll be totally honest: As I write this, at this very moment in time, I have yet to read in full the highly divisive article that was published by The Outline on Tuesday, titled "The Skincare Con," on which everyone who has ever applied moisturizer has since formed an opinion. I have skimmed it. I have read things about it. And I know I should read it, if only to be able to "get in on the conversation," so to speak. But as someone who frequently covers skin care on this website, and enthusiastically uses skin care on a daily basis, I am already a part of the conversation by default. That's fine.

And moreover, I already know that, while the piece may very well make some good points (I don't know, does it?), I do not and will never believe that skin care is in any way a "con." I have no room to be outraged by someone disparaging the contents of my bathroom cabinet; I'm already mad about other shit, like the current White House administration, the wage gap, the exorbitant price of spin classes, and the fact that my dog won't stop chewing the corner of the couch. It is not necessary for me to add my two cents to the conversation just because the conversation exists — and besides, those are two cents I could be spending on my favorite $70 face cleanser from Dr. Barbara Sturm.

Yesterday, WWD reported the results of the annual findings from NPD Group, one of the world's largest market-research companies, which concluded that prestige skin care reached $5.6 billion in sales in the U.S. in 2017, a 9% increase over 2016. Makeup sales, by comparison, were up just 6% year-over-year; while makeup is still the largest category, the growth of the skin-care market is monumental.

And perhaps even more telling is that a significant amount of that growth — roughly 20% — came from moisturizer. Beauty-industry analyst and NPD Group executive director Larissa Jensen told WWD that most categories in prestige skin care had previously seen declining sales numbers or a plateau, but over the past year there's been what Jensen calls a "turnaround" in the genre, with moisturizer as the driving force. Understandably, Jensen also credits a shift in the way we talk about skin care with encouraging consumers to buy more of it. "It's less 'fix your wrinkles' and more 'take care of yourself,'" she told the publication.

And maybe that's the bottom line. Skin care, at its best, is about taking care of yourself, not about a massive industrial scheme working to bamboozle an entire society of vain, unsuspecting wannabe Dorian Grays into emptying their wallets at the prospect of perfect skin. Maybe we like our skin-care routines. Maybe they work for us. Maybe they make us feel cared for, like we're doing something good for ourselves, like a coping mechanism, like a way to clear our heads, like we're taking the time out of our days to do something for ourselves and no one else. And that feeling is not, and never will be, a con — and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise, no matter how high it's trending on Twitter.

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It's no secret Emma Roberts knows a thing or two about storytelling, but this year, the actress is taking on a different role — in the form of curating incredible stories. In her newest endeavor with friend Karah Preiss, the 26-year-old hopes to share her lifelong passion for reading through Belletrist, an interactive, online space spotlighting fresh new reads and independent bookstores around the country. Together with New Balance, we sat down with Roberts to chat about following her spark to create a unique space for book-lovers around the globe to connect and share stories. Press play above to watch her newest chapter unfold.

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For most, trying a daring new haircut trend — say, the sci-fi bob, baby bangs, or incredibly long lengths — requires serious thought and careful planning. Does the cut work with your lifestyle? Will it drive you crazy as it grows out? Are you changing your hair for the right reasons?

It's enough to make anyone drag their feet. Luckily, there's a tried-and-true cutting technique that leaves hair looking and feeling bouncy and light, brings new life to any length or texture, and only requires a trim to achieve. Enter: the A-line.

You may have heard the term before, but what exactly is an A-line cut, who is it good for, and why is it spiking in popularity right now? We checked in with a handful of top hair pros for all the details.

What Is An A-line Cut?
Simply put, it's a cut that's shorter in the back and longer in the front. "The change in length can be dramatic or subtle," Jon Reyman, editorial hairstylist and the creative force behind Spoke & Weal salons, says. "An A-line haircut is typically shown as a bob, which begins between the nape of the neck and the shoulders. [It's shortest] at the back perimeter and gradually lengthens to the front."

As a rule of thumb, most stylists recommend the very back to be one inch shorter than the very front, but this can (and should) be tweaked based on your length and texture. The larger the difference, the more impact you'll get. All stylists can accomplish the look, but some refer to the technique as "adding an angle," while some just call it "an A-line."

A-lines work on long hair, too, but require more than an inch in length difference to land. This cut can be blunt and smooth, big and bouncy, or somewhere in between. "Usually there is some movement in the cut itself, like mid to longer layers," hairstylist Anh Co Tran points out. He's known for his A-lines, which normally come in short to mid-lengths.

Why It's Trending Right Now
We've been seeing the subtle cut everywhere — and experts have theories as to why. Tran attributes it to the resurgence of the classic bob, which relies heavily on the technique, but notes that that's just the start. "Everyone will have their own interpretation of an A-line [this year], which makes it very current," he says.

Reyman notes that Spoke & Weal 's bicoastal salons have been seeing more requests, too, saying, "We have definitely noticed an increase in request for an A-line cut. Adding an angle will give you a fresh new spin to your style."

Justine Marjan, celeb stylist to the Kardashians, Ashley Graham, and Olivia Culpo, adds, "It’s such a chic, flattering, fashion-forward cut that can elevate a woman and make her feel empowered."

Ready to see a few A-lines in action?

On Short Hair
A classic rendition done on straight hair from Spoke & Weal.

A post shared by Jon Reyman (@jonreymanhair) on Jan 7, 2018 at 3:54pm PST

Proof the style works well on curly hair, too.

A post shared by The Curl Doctor® / Shai Amiel (@shaiamiel) on May 5, 2017 at 4:04pm PDT

Marjan has used the technique on clients Olivia Culpo and Dove Cameron.

A post shared by Celebrity Hairstylist (@justinemarjan) on Dec 15, 2017 at 9:41am PST

Shai Amiel, L.A. hair pro and owner of Capella Salon, adds bounce to curls with an A-line finish. (See the back of the below look here.)

A post shared by Amanda Harvey (@theamanda_h) on Nov 16, 2017 at 11:32am PST

Tran's given Alexa Chung, Nora Zehetner, and Aimee Song the look over the past year.

A post shared by Anh Co Tran (@anhcotran) on Jan 30, 2018 at 8:03am PST

Kelly Rowland's rendition is super subtle, but so gorgeous.

A post shared by Kelly Rowland (@kellyrowland) on Apr 13, 2017 at 11:34am PDT

On Mid & Long Lengths
As we get into longer A-lines, you'll notice how impactful the look can be, taking long hair from simple to modern. We've also noticed a huge surge in the A-line length done on locs. Kelela's crystal-adorned version was done by L.A. stylist Nai'vasha Johnson.

A post shared by KELELA (@kelelam) on Oct 6, 2017 at 9:51am PDT

This modern variation makes hair look fuller and more voluminous thanks to a subtle A-line.

A post shared by chrisgreenehair (@chrisgreenehair) on Jan 30, 2018 at 7:33am PST

Kristin Ess took the back a tad shorter than most, below, and the result is thoroughly modern.

A post shared by KRISTIN ESS HAIR (@kristin_ess) on Oct 19, 2017 at 10:18am PDT

While also great for long hair, you'll notice that more than an inch difference is required to achieve the same drama.

A post shared by MèCHE Salon LA (@mechesalonla) on Dec 27, 2017 at 9:50am PST

The greater the length difference, the more impact you'll get.

A post shared by Anh Co Tran (@anhcotran) on Oct 25, 2017 at 2:03am PDT

What To Ask For
As always, it's best to bring a picture of the angle you like, but don't get too caught up on the difference in length. "Instead of talking about metrics, show your stylist where on your shoulders, neck, or chin you are comfortable with the length sitting," Reyman says. "The length in the back is determined by how dramatic you would like the A-line cut to be. The shorter your hair is in the back, the more noticeable the angle can become."

That being said, those planning on wearing their cut straight or slightly wavy, and anyone with box braids, can stick to about one inch to start, while those with very wavy, curly, and textured hair might need more than an inch to see a difference. "We want to see one level and a smooth grade from the back to the front," Reyman says. But at the end of the day, it should be a cut that works with your hair texture, so layers, a blunt finish, or a soft undercut are all great add-ons.

Have you tried an A-line cut before? Tell us in the comments below.

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Let's get one thing straight: We love a good turtleneck. Heck, our sweater drawer is starting to look like a rainbow of them — and whether we wear them alone or layered under everything else in our closets that's not quite seasonally appropriate; they're the first thing we reach for when getting dressed for winter. But, alas, our necks are starting to miss the light of day.

That's where the next logical alternative comes in: Sweaters with collars. They're just as easy to layer and style as our beloved turtlenecks, with the added bonus of giving our necks a bit of fresh air. What can we say? While they may not be for everyone, we're digging the polo look lately, even if it does make us look like a tennis player (but make it fashion). From statement oversized collars, to ruffles and fold-over variations, there are other winter necklines out there aside from the turtleneck — believe it or not!

So, consider a little collar action ahead as a chance to give your favorite turtleneck a temporary breather, because at this point in a long winter, it sure is nice to have a little variety, no?

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Although there have been a few missteps here and there, the state of diversity in the beauty industry is on the up and up. Brands are realizing that beauty consumers have the power of the dollar and want to see themselves reflected in brand campaigns and new product releases. The individuals you see in makeup ads feel the same way, so in return, Marc Jacobs Beauty cast 29 models of a variety of ethnicities to promote its brand new foundation.

You best believe we have the images of these women, but first, the details. The formula, Shameless Youthful-Look 24-H Longwear Foundation SPF 25, will be available on February 9 at MarcJacobsBeauty.com and Sephora.com, plus in-store at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and select Marc Jacobs stores starting on February 23 — but we've got the first look.

"From photoshoots to runway shows, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many models of various ethnicities and skin tones," Hannah Ferguson, who appears in the campaign, tells Refinery29. "I have also seen far too many models have trouble in the makeup chair simply because the artist didn’t have access to the perfect shade. I am excited to be a part of a project that is furthering the conversation on inclusion, as everyone — no matter what color your skin may be — deserves the right to feel beautiful."

Ahead, see what Shameless looks like on a variety of skin tones, and learn what this impressive launch means to some of the campaign's faces.

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It might be 2018, but apparently people scattered across the country are still living in the early '00s.

Let's take you back: You're in your high school locker room, drenched in sweat after running a mile in gym class. You might not have hit your 10-minute goal, but your body still smells worse than the hand-me-down sweatpants you had to borrow from the lost and found. The bell for next period is going to ring in T-3 minutes and, frankly, you stink. Luckily, you stocked up on fragrance mists at Victoria's Secret's 2-for-1 sale, where you discovered one purple bottle of seduction: Love Spell. And in this moment, it's the life raft saving you from being your school's version of Josie Grossie.

Fast forward to today, and you're still wearing it. But you're not alone. In fact, we found out this cherry blossom and peach scent — a classic sold by the VS brand since the 1999 — is just as popular today as it ever was. Just ask all 15,000 people who've left glowing reviews on the consumer research website Influenster. What's more, after analyzing the site's database of 250,000 user-generated reviews, Influenster discovered that this fragrance mist generated the most buzz (above all other fragrances) in California, North Carolina, Alaska, and Michigan.

Even if you've personally retired the bottle to your parents' basement storage, the fond memories of the fruity, floral aroma remain. And with Valentine's Day just two weeks away, we won't judge if this inspires you to dust off the throwback fragrance and put it to good use. It is called Love Spell, after all, and it's about time you give your awkward high school hookups a do-over.

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Oils aren't going anywhere, it seems. In fact, every time we scan the Sephora shelves, new, innovative versions have popped up. We're all for 'em, but sifting through the many little jars holding essences of rosehip, safflower seed, jojoba, lavender, argan, coconut, and more can be confusing.

First, it’s important to understand your skin type and your concerns in order to find the oils that will be most beneficial for you specifically, then it's best to use them at night, says skin-care professional Reneé Rouleau, so the ingredients can work while you sleep to repair any damage.

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Much like farm-to-table cuisine before it, the concept of farm-to-face beauty has been a growing market for a few years now. And it's more than just a buzzy catchphrase — it's a movement. As in-the-know beauty enthusiasts demand greater transparency from their favorite brands, the process products go through before landing on our bathroom shelves is being laid bare: Consumers no longer want to know just what effect a formula will have on their skin, but also exactly where ingredients come from, their quality, and how they've been treated in laboratories.

While the rest of the industry plays catch-up, brands that have long championed this transparency are taking center stage. Tata Harper 's eponymous brand has been at it since first launching several years ago; each and every ingredient used in the brand's formulas is foraged from the Harper's property in Vermont. "Traditionally, ‘farm-to-face’ means ingredients that come from local sources," Harper explains. "We have a factory on our farm so we make all products on site. This has been at the core of our DNA since we launched — we are obsessed with being the freshest possible."

The difference between her products and other, less holistic products, Harper explains, has to do with not only bottling the most beautiful ingredients, but opting out of the synthetic preservatives that some brands rely on. "When you're buying a product, it might already be two years old when you open the box," she says. "Each of our bottles has the freshest and highest-performing ingredients possible. We strive to minimize production time — from farm to face."

For Mark Veeder, co-founder of Farmacy, the concept is also rooted in ingredients, which he harvests on his farm in upstate New York. "Our products are centered around powerful farmer-cultivated ingredients, ensuring that the full potential of these ingredients is preserved through a meticulous process," he tells Refinery29. "We control our key, exclusive ingredients, from hand-planting to employing organic growing methods, and we hand-harvest the root and apply science to extract, stabilize, and supercharge the potent active ingredients."

Veeder also highlights the fact that being able to trace the journey from harvest to skin is key, because beauty fanatics are savvier than ever these days. "They're paying more attention to what they eat and drink; they also want to know what’s in the products they use every day," Veeder says. "There is an understanding from consumers that all of these things impact the end result of what they put on their faces and in their bodies."

As Harper says, we're "voting with our money" — and it looks a lot like we want clarity on everything from production methods to ingredient choices via packaging waste and ethical sourcing. Ahead, we've rounded up the best finds in farm-to-face beauty right now. Started from the harvest, now we're here...

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Tamara Harris may be the underdog in her New Jersey congressional race, but you wouldn't know that when talking with her. The family advocate and entrepreneur is high-energy as she describes what motivated her to run for office, how her background would help her serve the 11th District constituents, and why we need more women of color in positions of leadership — which makes it easy to nod along while she makes her case.

And if something was clear at the end of her interview with Refinery29, it was that her decision to run for office was more than an aspiration to her. For Harris, it is a duty.

"I became severely concerned for our democracy," she said. "What I realized is that if I didn't step up ... the foundations that underpin the advocacy that I care about so much would be under attack and greatly at risk."

Harris grew up seeing policy be enacted at the Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands and, years later, swapped a lucrative career in investment banking for advocacy, so she seems to truly believe what she says. Her path to becoming a candidate is similar to that of so many other women running for office in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election: She was fired up by Hillary Clinton's defeat and what she sees as the dangerous policies implemented by President Trump during his first year in office. But another crucial reason Harris decided to seek office was to show her daughters, aged 16 and 19, that women must have a seat at the table.

"Our daughters needed to see our strength," she said. "When we look at the State of the Union, where women were not mentioned even once, I don’t think I need to say anything else. As a woman, if you step into this space, you’re saying that women matter and women can lead."

The self-proclaimed "BAM" — businesswoman, advocate, mother — wants to replace Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, who was elected in 1994. The veteran Republican recently announced he won't seek reelection, and the Democratic party hopes that will give them a chance to flip the seat. According to the Cook Political Report, which rates congressional races, the election is still a "toss up"  since President Trump narrowly won the district and then a year later Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy carried the seat. Other than Harris, four other candidates are in the Democratic primary.

Tamara at the @NJ11forchange Fridays With(out) Frelinghuysen #TeamTamaraNJ pic.twitter.com/gv5ILySawN

— Tamara Harris (@TamaraforNJ) November 10, 2017

Harris' path toward running for office has been a long time in the making. Born in St. Croix and raised in St. Thomas, as a little girl she constantly went to the office of her late father, who worked for a senator in the island. There, Harris got a taste of how policy was made and how it could impact people's everyday lives.

"One of the really special opportunities I had as a young girl growing up was sneaking into the legislative chambers," she said. "I remember as a nine- or 10-year-old watching 16 senators debate politics and create law."

But those experiences didn't led her directly to politics. Instead, Harris worked in international finance, at one point living in Hong Kong and Beijing, but after her first daughter was born, she switched careers. She went on to become a divorce coach, after going through her own high-stakes separation, and moonlighted as family advocate and college professor. Throughout it all, she was active behind the scenes organizing and supporting Democratic candidates at different levels — until she started thinking about running for office.

"Running is not this new thing that I sort of woke up and decided to do," she said. "It's really me moving from the background to the front line."

Harris threw her hat in the ring in August 2017. Most of her stances fall on the progressive side: retaining and improving the Affordable Care Act, supporting universal background checks on all gun purchases, defending women's right to choose, reforming the immigration system, and making higher education more accessible.

She was endorsed by Higher Heights for America, a group with the goal of electing more Black women to office. (The organization says Harris's background "uniquely prepared" her to serve in office.) But the road hasn't exactly been easy. For example, Harris doesn't have the backing of other groups that help women running for office. There's obvious frustration in her voice when she discusses the lack of institutional support for candidates of color, a grievance shared by many leaders across the country.

"When you look at places like New Jersey or some other states where you have a primary where a candidate is chosen, sometimes women of color — their voices will be silenced or they will be shut down early in a race," she said. "We deal with different dynamics politically, in terms of being supported by the party or system."

The New Jersey primary falls on June 5. And even though she's facing several obstacles, Harris said she is going all the way. It's obvious that she's not a quitter.

"A lot of times, as I tell people, we wait for permission to go on a mission," she said. "I don’t ask for permission."

2018 will see an unprecedented number of female candidates in ballots across the country. More than 500 women are currently running for the House, Senate, or governorships — and that's without taking into account the number of candidates vying for local and statewide seats. Refinery29 is committed to spotlight female candidates, but particularly women of color, who have risen up to the challenge to say: "It's our turn."

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Amo. I love. Not I love you, or I love myself, or I love it, just... I love. Saying it a few times feels like one of those cheesy exercises in positivity, like writing down three things you're grateful for before bed, but here's the thing: It kind of works.

If mantras aren't your thing, though, Salvatore Ferragamo has found a way to bottle the sentiment inside its just-launched fragrance, Amo. Hardly what you'd expect from the storied Italian fashion house, it smells like young, fun, party-girl spirit — which makes its face, model Suki Waterhouse, a no-brainer.

In the campaign video, shot by famed photographer Ellen von Unwerth, Waterhouse dances around Florence without a care in the world... Amo lighting up the party, Amo having men at my feet, Amo traveling. And, of course, she loves Amo, which she calls her perfect day scent. "It encompasses a really beautiful experience for me," she told Refinery29 back in September, at a Ferragamo fashion week party in Milan announcing the campaign. "It reminds me of the Italian way, the incredible flair and passion they have, of being a sexy woman... It makes me giggle."

"Giggly" might seem like a strange way to describe a scent, but surprisingly, it works. Amo strikes just the right balance between sharp and sweet; it hits you with an Italian bitter note and herb-y rosemary before introducing jasmine sambac and rhubarb, then settling down on the skin with a richer, warmer base of sandalwood, musk, and the star ingredient: white vanilla from Polynesia. As perfumer Marie Salamagne describes it, "It's luminous, it's audacious, it's happiness."

We sat down with Waterhouse after hours, as her party was in full swing, to talk falling in — and out — of love, Valentine's Day, and more.

What's your go-to first date look?
"I always try not to look like I've made an effort in any way, which I find to be very effective. I'm obviously wearing makeup, but looking like I'm not wearing any — that old one. Honestly, all of the best outfits I wear usually aren’t for dates. I'll never put heels on for a date. All of the big looks are usually for work things or for when I go out with my friends."

What do you like to smell like?
"At night, I like to be kind of natural. I think part of feeling romantic and sexy is feeling clean and well put together, so I don’t have to be really overdone but I have to feel like I've looked after myself. So smell goes into that. Nothing too strong, but kind of jasmine-toned or lavender."

What's your ideal Valentine's Day?
"I think the most romantic thing is just not doing much. There's something very romantic about making a meal together and going to the supermarket together to get all the ingredients, it creates a really memorable day."

Have you had an especially bad Valentine's Day?
"Breakups around Valentine's Day tend to happen quite a lot. Just being miserable and alone. I always feel like that happens."

Do you have a post-breakup beauty treatment you do?
"I have a three-hour bath and eat a lot of cereal in the bath. I love making coffee grain and honey masks and covering my body with it to exfoliate. It's quite bad for cleaning up after."

Have you ever gotten a breakup haircut?
"Yeah, pretty much every time I try and cut fringe. I've cut my own hair a lot of times in the mirror, just wanting to be different. It's incredibly dangerous."

How do you know when you're in love?
"When I start looking up horoscopes. You can type in exact birthdates and find out compatibility."

Below, watch Waterhouse share her more of her favorite things behind the scenes of the Amo shoot.

Salvatore Ferragamo Amo eau de parfum, $120, available at Bloomingdale's.

Travel and expenses for the author were provided by Ferragamo for the purpose of writing this story.

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After two men took upskirt photos of Gina Martin, she began a campaign to make it a sexual offense. Now, she’s teamed up with Refinery29 UK to tell the stories of women who have been upskirted, and encourage the government to #StopSkirtingTheIssue.

I remember as a 13-year-old my teachers checking the length of my skirts. As girls, we were made to wear them, and I was largely okay with it, apart from the fact that I desperately wanted to run and roll around at lunchtime just like the boys did. Skirts were to be worn modestly or 'decent,' as Mrs. Stanway would say, wagging her finger — and it soon became clear to me that skirts meant 'girl,' and trousers meant 'boy.' I had to wear one and — I realize now — it was up to me to alter my clothes in order to not be sexualized by someone else.

Growing up, I saw skirts everywhere. My teachers wore skirts; Olympians wore skirts; my favorite pop stars wore skirts. I was told, subconsciously and consciously, by every movie, song, book, and adult that wearing skirts was normal for me. It was pretty and feminine and it was my uniform.

Fast-forward to last summer and a man shoves his hand between my legs at a music festival and takes pictures of my vagina without me knowing. A good chunk of the responses I get from people I tell are, "You should have worn trousers." 13 year old me is confused. Thirteen years later, standing in a field in summer, by chance, next to a cretin of a man, and all of a sudden it was my fault. I should have worn trousers.

A post shared by Gina Martin (@beaniegigi) on Aug 8, 2017 at 12:36pm PDT

Over time, somehow, the skirt has become both a woman's uniform and her biggest sin: wear it and act like a lady, but suffer the consequences if you do. It's all a bit confusing, but so is its history.

The skirt was the second piece of clothing ever invented (before the dress), and was a hand-woven straw affair found in an Armenian cave in 3,000 BC. Skirts were worn by men and women back then — much as they are now — and were all about practicality. After the Middle Ages, clothes became a hallmark of importance: a floor-length, bulky skirt meant you were rich — especially if it was more than three meters in diameter around the bottom. Next, the flamboyant fashion of the Victorian era made its debut, with skirts being layered and bustles added in. Victorian women's fashion was about creating the 'ideal' bell shape and showing one's status, but, crucially, the amount of layers were to make it harder for them to be promiscuous. The hope was that it wouldn't be worth taking off five pieces of clothing, including a corset and a skirt cage — a sort of style-minded chastity belt had been invented. Pretty extreme, sure, but this was around the same time when showing your ankles made you a harlot and table legs were covered because they looked too much like the real deal. Allen Jones would be in exile.

In the '50s, a calf-length pleated number was the default. Skirts were all about femininity and creating curves while retaining your — you guessed it — modesty, but then Marilyn Monroe stood on top of a subway grid and we all lost our shit.

The birth of the miniskirt in the '60s brought some much needed rebellion and liberation. Fashion designer Mary Quant opened Bazaar on London's King's Road in 1955, and raised hemlines (and eyebrows) with a skirt she named after her favorite car — the mini. Cue Twiggymania and Jean Shrimpton, who turned up to the Melbourne Cup wearing a miniskirt and — gasp — no hat or gloves or stockings. The Swinging Sixties had arrived.

The miniskirt was considered a sort of peaceful protest and went hand-in-hand with the sexual liberation of women and the invention of the Pill. Many men weren't that happy with the mini, however, and although they liked seeing it on women they were unrelated to, they complained about their own wives and fiancés wearing it — yawn. Women had taken their sexuality, and bodies, into their own hands.

Since the '60s, hem lines have gone up and down, sure, but the skirt has settled and become a staple. The height of your hem, is no longer a political or economic statement, but we have history with it. We have baggage. It's still wrongly assumed that wearing one is an attempt to convey a message: 'I'm attractive;' 'Look at me;' Hit on me;' the list goes on. The skirt has been through too much to simply be a piece of clothing, and, for some reason, women have been through too much to be able to wear it without comment.

In 2018, though, when clothes mean creativity and agency, the skirt can just be a skirt. It no longer has to be a statement. This highly gendered and sexualized garment is slowly getting there, but there’s some way to go. Until our attitudes about what it means to show our bodies change, and wearing a skirt becomes as wholesome as wearing a pair of jeans, ‘you should have worn trousers’ will still continuously be coughed up from the comment section.

The only way we can rid the skirt of its controversial history and enjoy the breezy, freedom of wearing one without any repercussions is by putting one on whenever and wherever we want — whoever we are. Maybe when we’ve done that enough, seeing a leg will become almost as benign as seeing an ankle.

You can sign the Care2 petition calling for upskirt photos to be made illegal under the Sexual Offences Act of 2003 here.

If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call theRAINN Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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After the longest January we can remember (who allowed a month to have five Mondays, am I right?), February is here. And with it, a whole new batch of books to curl up with while the sun still sets early, and the temperatures still hover a few degrees too low.

Book-lovers, you’re in luck. February holds gems from debut novelists, seasoned writers, and a memoirst whose story you won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Specifically, we’re talking about Tara Westover’s Educated, in which she recalls her childhood in an off-the-grid, very religious household, and how she pursued a PhD despite not having stepped into a classroom until she was 17. Two of February’s novels about college-aged women function as the perfect fictional follow-ups to Educated. In Call Me Zebra by Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi, our highly intellectual protagonist goes on an international romp in pursuit of higher knowledge. And in Akwaeke Emezi’s stunning debut, Freshwater, a woman travels to America from Nigeria for college – and the spirits that live inside her mind awaken and come along with her.

So, without further ado, here are the books we’re excited for in February. Our official book club pick is An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.

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If you're anything like us, you keep a close eye on Rihanna's beauty looks — not just for creative inspiration, but also in order to get a first glimpse at future Fenty Beauty launches. Now, people think one of the global-superstar-turned-beauty-boss' two Grammys looks could be a clue into the next drop from the brand.

As Allure pointed out this week, Rihanna worked two looks throughout the evening. The first was burgundy-hued glam, created by the company's makeup artist Priscilla Ono, who used Match Stix in Mocha and Espresso on the musician's eyes, and Mattemoiselle in Shawty and Glossbomb on her lips.

The second was a dramatic transformation, suited to the heat she brought in her Adam Selman sparkly fuchsia fringed dress while performing 'Wild Thoughts' with DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller. Whether she was paying homage to Pantone's color of the year, Ultraviole t, or not, her eyelids were awash with a rich purple shadow. Her lips, too, were transformed with an iridescent copper gloss.

While Ono offered the product list for look one on her Instagram account, she gave away no details of the products used to create the bold colors in look two, which Riri wore to the Grammys afterparty at New York City's 1-Oak nightclub. And this is where the guessing games begin. Rihanna has been known to showcase Fenty products several months before they officially launch. Back in December, she wore One of the Boyz, the lilac Mattemoiselle lip shade, four days before the lipsticks launched.

With no eyeshadows in the brand's main line – only in the sparkle-laden Galaxy collection palette, which dropped before the holidays – could this Grammys beauty look be the first tease of Fenty eye color? If so, it's no surprise the shades will be wild and pigmented. We can only wait in anticipation that Rihanna keeps expanding her brand offering.

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It's time to leave 2017's bad beauty decisions in the past and look toward a better future. After all, with a new slate comes new opportunities: You can finally start that YouTube channel you've been dreaming about, wear the blue lipstick you've been eyeing, or get a completely different haircut. And with the latter, who better to look to for inspiration than celebs like Beyoncé, Halsey, and Selena Gomez?

We may only be a few days into January, but a few of our favorite stars have already debuted some shocking hair transformations. Gone are the days of subtle layers and quick trims — if you're ready to make a drastic change in 2018, you'll want to see these looks. Ahead, check out Beyoncé's curly bob, Halsey's Marilyn Monroe-inspired pixie, and Gomez's first hair change since going blond a few months ago — and more.

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Here comes the bride, all dressed in white...Keds? Yep, Kate Spade New York is teaming up with Keds to create the ultimate in comfortable wedding day shoes that will still work with the look you spent hours creating via your Lauren Conrad-worthy Pinterest boards.

“The Keds x Kate Spade New York wedding collection is the perfect union of ease and glamour for everything from the bridal shower to bridesmaids’ gifts to walking down the aisle to happily ever after,” Keds said in a press release. “Equal parts glamour and comfort, these styles are a must for brides-to-be!”

The collection comes in a variety of colors beyond white, including red, rose gold, silver, and even black, and is offered in three different shoe silhouettes. And in case you aren’t convinced that wearing sneakers on your wedding day is an actual trend, see Serena Williams for proof. The tennis star wore a pair of Nike Cortez sneakers covered in gold and silver crystals down the aisle when she married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in December. And we have to say: We like her line of thinking. Because if you start the evening off in a cool pair of kicks, you don’t have to worry about changing your shoes mid-party.

As Keds’ product line manager puts it, “there’s no better way to walk down the aisle than in these elegant sneakers: height without the heel, dance-all-night comfort, plus versatile style so you can keep wearing them well after the big day.” And we couldn't agree more.

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After my six-year marriage ended abruptly, I went through all the post-divorce rituals: wallowing, getting a makeover, reading every self-help book. There was plenty of soul-searching and trying new hobbies like rock climbing and swing dancing in there, too.

When I decided to finally start dating again, I was living in a new city 700 miles from everything that reminded me of my 20s and my marriage. It was time to get back out there.

Truthfully, dating after divorce isn’t always easy. Finding the confidence to try again can be hard, but it's also exhilarating, fun, and even emotionally rewarding — something that's explored by Sarah Jessica Parker's character Frances in the second season of HBO's Divorce, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. EST. Ahead, five things I learned about dating after a divorce.

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