With only two days until Super Bowl LII airs, it makes sense that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen have been the topic of countless headlines. (Even the little things, like a video of the athlete kissing his 11-year-old son, have people asking a lot of questions.) But one of our favorite pieces of news comes from the model, who just posted a masterfully shot cover of the latest issue of Vogue Italia — and it's as angelic as you'd expect.
Once upon a time, catching celebrities without makeup in public was a big deal (we're glad that fad had ended). The moment Alicia Keys announced she was ridding her lifestyle of the stuff once and for all, it started a no-makeup movement. Soon, Mila Kunis was appearing on the cover of Glamour magazine bare-faced and fancy free. Stars were posting endless no-makeup selfies on Instagram. So seeing Bündchen, the second-highest paid model in the world, without a stitch of foundation or mascara isn't revolutionary. If anything, it's just perfect timing.
Only Bündchen appearing on the cover of one of the top fashion magazines in the world could distract us from the heat that comes when a Super Bowl win is on the line. Because the only thing some people like more than shit-talking Brady is loving his wife and her low-maintenance beauty routine.
Sports aside, this photoshoot also marks the first time in history that the magazine has published a makeup-free cover. It's a big deal — big enough to halt all conversations of whether or not kissing your child on the lips is acceptable and instead spend the rest of our Friday afternoon wondering how someone could look so beautiful in natural light.
They're a pair of Black women that describe attractive men as "hot peen" and encourage white folks to join them in using cocoa butter to battle their ashiness. And now, they're headlining an HBO comedy series.
In 2016, Broad City alum Phoebe Robinson and Daily Show veteran Jessica Williams joined forces to debut their podcast 2 Dope Queens. After two seasons and dozens of live Brooklyn tapings of the friends riffing on everything from work to love to life's daily annoyances — also featuring a tribe of Black, brown, and LGBTQ+ stand-up comedians — HBO tapped the duo to turn their hilarious show into a four-night special.
The late-night series will feature special guests like Williams' former Daily Show colleague Jon Stewart, as well as The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Tituss Burgess, Orange Is The New Black 's Uzo Aduba, and fellow HBO'er Sarah Jessica Parker for a hair-themed episode. (For that one, Robinson and Williams brought out breakfast for themselves and the audience so that everyone could have the pleasure of saying they'd brunched with SJP herself.)
But despite the big names, fans of the original 2DQ need not worry about the show straying too far from its roots. "The HBO special will be the same old us," Williams says. "We just got, like, a major hair and makeup budget. Hair and makeup makes everything fucking awesome!"
Read more from our chat with the headliners below.
2 Dope Queens is known not just for being one of iTunes' most popular podcasts, but also one of the most inclusive. How did it become an HBO special? Phoebe Robinson: "You know, it was because every night we were crushing, just body surfing out the building after our tapings! No, I'm just kidding. We met in July 2014 and really hit it off, and then we started the podcast in 2016, and we just kept going. We had a string of really good shows featuring some really awesome comics, so I was like, 'Jessica, I think this is a TV show!' We wanted more people to know about 2 Dope Queens. And she totally agreed with me, so we circled it to everyone on our teams and decided to pitch it to HBO. At first we tried to add all these extra elements to jazz it up, because we thought what we had on the podcast wasn't enough for television. But in the end HBO didn't want us to change a thing because we had already honed our voices over the years. So it's really great."
Why do you think 2 Dope Queens resonates with so many people? Jessica Williams: "Some of the best compliments we get is when a woman on the street is like, ' 2 Dope Queens is just like me when I'm with my friends!' That's dream feedback. We try to make sure we enjoy each other — like, sometimes Phoebe will call me to tell me something that happened to her and I'm like, 'No! Save it for the show!' so we have those real reactions and energy on stage. I think people respond to that honesty and authenticity, and the fact that we always bring on celebrity guests and comics who are people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community. We're including everyone."
PR: "There's an audience of people who sound like Jessica and I and look like Jessica and I, people who truly enjoy fun comedy and funny banter between two Black women. And that's not always shown in media. You often see Black women portrayed on TV as working hard; women who are tough and serious, but just like Issa Rae is also showing the world, there are Black women who are dorky, and silly, and goofy, who fall in love and have all of these complicated layers. All people are fully dimensional. So even if you don't look or sound like us, you've also experienced crappy customer service or a really bad date, so you can relate."
"If this was maybe 30 years ago, it would just be Issa Rae, and networks would have to say 'Sorry, Phoebe and Jessica, we already have Issa, so we don't need you.' But now there’s enough room at the table for everyone."
It seems like Black women are finally having a moment in popular culture right now. Do you feel like 2 Dope Queens is a part of that? PR: "I don't want be like 'I feel like we're changing the tide!' But I do have to acknowledge that this is one of the first-ever podcasts that has made its way to TV in a comedy space, and headed by two Black women at that, so I have to recognize that we are part of the conversation now. I think it’s just cool that there are so many different kinds of Black women who are able to have the spotlight now. If this was maybe 30 years ago, it would just be Issa Rae, and networks would have to say 'Sorry, Phoebe and Jessica, we already have Issa, so we don't need you.' But now there’s enough room at the table for everyone."
JW: "We are absolutely part of this moment, simply because we are Black women. We try to make sure we bring that personal magic to everything we do, whether its 2 Dope Queens or my new Showtime comedy series that I'm working on. I think adding to the Black girl magic out there is inherent, because that is us. So hopefully no matter what we do, we are bringing that wherever we go because of who we are."
We're talking a lot about #MeToo and Time's Up in the entertainment industry right now. Is sexual harassment or abuse of power something you've witnessed firsthand in the comedy space? PR: "Yes, and it's in every sort of work environment. But yes, we've seen certain people I won't mention in comedy who are now dealing with their own bad behavior coming to light. I think what's good now is that people are no longer afraid to call that behavior out. I think for the most part, people were scared of losing their jobs. But now men know if you misbehave, you will lose your job. Every industry is realizing it can't just be a bunch of guys protecting each other; that's not gonna fly anymore. And now we have women in charge. Abbi [Jacobson] and Ilana [Glazer] are at the head of Broad City, Issa Rae is running Insecure, Mindy Kaling was doing The Mindy Project. There are more women in positions of power who can set the tone. Even Jessica and I producing this special lets everyone know that there are new sheriffs in town, and everyone's gonna be respectful. If not, you’re not gonna work here."
Photo: Mindy Tucker/HBO.
The solution everyone keeps offering to getting more women in the entertainment industry seems to be a vague "let's hire more women." But how do we do that? JW: "We created these specials and produced them with Amy Aniobi, who's a writer on Insecure, as our head writer, and the comedy legend Tig Notaro as director. We had to actively try to make sure that we had really awesome strong powerful women and members of the LGBTQ+ community involved in making these specials. Not to say 'Oh, we’re the best and doing it correctly,' but I do think we've shown by example that a lot of it is purposefully fostering positive and inclusive work environments. And even just on the podcast, every single episode had to feature a queer person or person of color as a guest. We wanted to show that we're not all minorities anymore; we can be the stars in our own narratives."
PR: "I think people need to stop being lazy. Theres no other way to put it. And stop thinking about hiring a person of color or queer person as a favor or act of charity. There are so many worthy and talented people out there, so anyone in a position of power needs to re-imagine their cookie cutter format or mold and re-examine who they think is 'worthy' to begin with."
What's next for both of you? JW: "Well, we're rolling these episodes out. And I just wrapped up working on the Fantastic Beasts sequel, and I'm going to shoot a movie I'm excited about in four months. I'm also executive producing my own show on Showtime, which I'm so excited about. Other than that I really want to learn the electric guitar. So yeah, I'm working, still playing the Sims video game, and living my best life."
PR: "The podcast is on hiatus for now because we’re both so busy! I'm trying to finish my second book Everything's Trash But It's Okay which comes out in October. And then I have a movie on Netflix called Ibiza that's coming out in May with Gillian Jacobs and Vanessa Bayer. And I may do a book slash standup tour? Who knows! We're both very busy. But would we love to do more HBO specials? Absolutely. If they’re game, we're super game."
What is the impact you hope 2 Dope Queens will have, five or 10 years from now? JW: "I hope people will say 'Oh wow, I wasn't even a big stand-up fan but that show introduced me to super funny comedians like Michelle Buteau and Naomi Ekperigin.' And hopefully those people will want to watch our episodes over and over again. With a glass of rosé and their fancy cocoa butter on their feet, propped up, relaxing and enjoying this world we worked really hard to build."
2 Dope Queens debuts on HBO Friday, February 2 at 11:30 p.m., with the following three episodes airing on February 9, February 16, and February 23.
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Any avid people-watcher knows that there are no better people to watch than people that are on a date. First dates are best (particularly those coordinated after weeks of back-and-forth Bumble banter) and third dates have the highest stakes (will they or won't they leave in a taxi together?), but any date will do, really. And once you've witnessed enough of them, you'll also find evidence to support this: There is no such thing as "date-night beauty."
For years, magazines and makeup companies have tried to sell the concept of date-night beauty as one particular thing. Some say it's red lipstick, a shade that alludes to inner strength and sex appeal; others tell you to skip the color and go straight for gloss — more kissable, less likely to stain a beautiful stranger's shirt. Some say slicked-back hair, for those dangerously sexy Sharon Stone-in- Basic Instinct vibes; others insist it's all about loose, tousled Victoria's Secret waves, assuming you are trying to trick your date into believing you are a Victoria's Secret model.
So what is date-night beauty? What is the difference between this type of beauty and any other hair and makeup you'd wear while not on a date? It's everything and nothing, and anything you want it to be. Hell, date-night makeup could even be no makeup, or at least the appearance of it: As model Suki Waterhouse told us recently, "I always try not to look like I've made an effort in any way, which I find to be very effective."
And really, effective is the only thing that date-night beauty should be. Just get the job done — whether that means securing plans for Valentine's Day or cutting the night short to go home and watch The Bachelor and eat chips on your couch.
At Refinery29, we have one rule about makeup: There are none. You do you, however and whatever that may be. Foundation diehard? Allow us to direct you to our favorite ones. More the fiercely fresh-faced type? Here's the skin-care routine that will make your visage glow. We don't ascribe to the mainstream narrative that either one is better, or braver (our least favorite word) than the other.
That said, we've noticed a recent uptick in celebrities who have been jumping on the no-makeup train — currently led by the patron saint of cosmetics-free complexions, Alicia Keys. Our most recent discovery? Superhuman Gal Gadot, bringing new meaning to barefaced beauty. But that's not to say all of Hollywood is throwing its eyeshadows to the curb. Plenty of celebs still sport bold beauty looks on occasion, and also have their moments of free-facing it. Not only does it keep us guessing, it also shows us all the ways we can use beauty to enhance or highlight our features.
Ahead, check out some of our favorite celebs with and without makeup. It's not brave, it's not a reason to gossip, it's not revolutionary — it's just makeup.
To the surprise of no one, Wonder Woman is just as powerful without her concealer as she is with her lasso.
Leighton Meester Historically speaking, Meester has never been one to get as glammed up as the characters she plays on TV — but that doesn't mean she doesn't know when to bring the bold.
Photo: Mireya Acierto/Getty Images.
If anyone could convince you to forego the foundation today, it's her. That's what we call a glow.
Nathalie Emmanuel This Game of Thrones actress is often the focus of our bold lip infatuation — and when she pairs hers with a bold set of eyebrows, she can do no wrong.
Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images.
Getting a glimpse at Emmanuel without a stitch of Westeros makeup is rare, but the sight has triggered the sudden urge to hunt down her dermatologist. Can you blame us?
Tyra Banks It's safe to say Banks is pretty familiar with makeup — she even has her own cosmetics line, called Tyra Beauty — and has perfected countless looks throughout her career as a model, businesswoman, and TV host.
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.
One thing's for certain: Her signature smize isn't going anywhere, makeup or no makeup. While on vacation in Cape Cod, Banks shared a shot of bare skin, beachy curls, and a smirk.
@tyrabanks
Julianne Hough The dancer-slash-actress-slash-singer is known for her barefaced selfies almost as much as she is for her glam red carpet looks — and she looks equally flawless in both.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.
Hough's recent Honeymoon with husband Brooks Laich isn't the only thing worth swooning over — her sun-kissed skin, DGAF ponytail, and bold brows are #goals, too.
@juleshough
Jennifer Lopez Over the years, Jenny from the block has perfected the red carpet formula: chiseled cheekbones, smoky eyes, and a polished manicure.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
But in her most recent Instagram video, J. Lo showed off a dewy, bare complexion with fierce brows — and it's just as good.
Yesterday, the star posted a no-makeup selfie and our jaws dropped. Those freckles! Is it just us or have they been hidden on every red carpet? Either way, we love 'em.
Photo: Via @gabunion/Instagram.
Sofia Vergara The actress is known for going all-out on the red carpet. Barrel curls, bold lips, false lashes — the Modern Family star has done it all.
Photo: Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock.
But Vergara isn't afraid to show her bare face to the world — even if she's home sick with a fever. The star may have been under the weather when this selfie was taken, but she still looks radiant as ever. Life's just not fair.
Underneath the veil of coverage the star usually wears to events, she's got the cutest smattering of freckles.
Madonna Whether or not you grew up watching her "Material Girl" music video, you're probably still well-aware that she is known for her makeup theatrics — both on and offstage.
Photo: James Gourley/REX/Shutterstock.
The braids, the sunlight, and fresh face — all of it has us doing a double take. Is that Mother of Dragons or Madonna? Either way, she looks good.
Heidi Klum The model, who loves to express herself with makeup, posted a side-by-side selfie yesterday to show her fans her gorgeously bare pre-Grammys face (seriously, how can we get that glow?) versus her red carpet-ready smoky eye and pink flush.
Photo via Instagram/@heidiklum
Adriana Lima For 17 years (!) we've been amazed by this Victoria's Secret Angel's beauty looks — both on the runway and off — and have a feeling that sentiment will hold true for years to come.
Photo: Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images.
We've seen Lima boxing sans makeup all the time, but her this snap of her celebrating the holidays back home in Brazil feels extra-low key.
Photo: Via @adrianalima/Instagram.
Kesha Throughout her singing career, she has made a name for herself as a boundary-pushing beauty icon (especially when it comes to glitter. Kesha loves glitter).
Photo: JB Lacroix/Getty Images.
But underneath all the shimmer, Kesha has the prettiest set of freckles we never knew existed.
Photo: Via @iiswhoiis/Instagram.
Alicia Keys Keys has worn some glam makeup looks throughout her career — like this one. But this summer, she publicly declared that she was done with makeup. "I don’t want to cover up anymore," she said. "Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing."
Photo: Lars Niki/Corbis/Getty Images.
The singer has stayed true to her word, rocking only a messy topknot and bare (and glowing, we might add) skin since then.
Photo: C Flanigan/FilmMagic.
Gwyneth Paltrow A Hollywood veteran — with an acting career that spans more than two decades — Paltrow is no stranger to the makeup chair. In her daily life, she usually opts for a natural, bronze-y look.
Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images.
In celebration of her 44th birthday, the actress recently uploaded this #nomakeupselfie to Instagram. She told us she's been inspired by the no-makeup movement, saying that she likes the message behind it: This is me. This is what I look like. This is where I am in time, and I embrace it.
Photo: Via @gwynethpaltrow/Instagram.
Kim Kardashian Ah, the queen of contour. Between the K-clan's line of hair and makeup products and her countless headline-garnering looks, Kardashian has certainly made a name for herself in the beauty biz. Further proof she's a makeup wiz: She recently livestreamed her entire a.m. routine — which included a casual 25 products.
Photo: Michael Stewart/WireImage.
That's why, when Kardashian stepped out for the Balenciaga fashion show in Paris without a stitch of makeup on, the entire internet sort of lost it.
Photo: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images.
Gabrielle Union Let's be real: Gabrielle Union first stole our hearts as the fearless head cheerleader in Bring It On. Since then, she's inspired us time after time with her bold, beautiful red carpet looks.
Photo: J. Countess/Getty Images.
Though Union is known for snapchatting makeup-free selfies often, her latest video gave a nod to fellow fresh-faced star Alicia Keys. In it, she said, "No makeup, head wrap, hey, Alicia Keys, I see you!"
Photo: Via @gabunionwade/Snapchat.
Chrissy Teigen She's our long-standing favorite person to follow on Twitter (although, as of this week, her account is private), and we love the model's unfiltered approach to everything in life — her beauty routine included.
Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images.
In quite possibly the cutest picture to ever grace the World Wide Web, Teigen shared this moment with baby Luna — with matching baby-soft, makeup-free skin to boot.
Photo: Via @chrissyteigen/Instagram.
Laverne Cox When it comes to beauty, Cox is our hero. (And not just because she slays a red carpet like no other.)
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
In an Instagram post, she wrote: "As an actress and a woman, I love being able to transform, to switch up my look when I want to with wigs, weaves, and bundles aplenty. I love this, too. It's about choices and options." Amen.
Photo: @lavernecox/Instagram.
Zendaya In the last two years, the singer, actress, and dancer has won over our hearts with her willingness to take beauty risks — including doing her own makeup for red carpet events.
Photo: Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan.
What's even cooler, though, is how she strips down from the glam — and claps back at haters who, well, hate. When user @JaeBasstv recently tweeted that he was "hurt" by how different Zendaya looks without makeup, she quickly responded with a flawless makeup-free selfie, saying, "Terrifying honestly..."
Photo: @Zendaya/Twitter.
Amy Schumer America's favorite funny girl isn't afraid to have real beauty conversations — in her own comedic way. To wit: her brilliant music video "Girl, You Don't Need Makeup."
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
And she doesn't — and neither does anybody else.
Photo: Via @amyschumer/Instagram.
Kylie Jenner Known for her statement-making beauty looks (like countless hair and lip transformations), Jenner has quickly become the face of glamazon makeup.
Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images.
In an Instagram post, a fresh-faced Jenner revealed her bare skin — adorable freckles and all — proving that she is just as beautiful sans contour.
Photo: Via @kyliejenner/Instagram.
Beyoncé In terms of hair and makeup (and, actually, everything else, ever), Queen B can do no wrong. Even other celebrities geek out in her presence, so we'll just leave it at that.
Photo: David Becker/Getty Images.
Okay, okay, technically Bey is wearing some makeup here, but she did ditch all her other products — mascara, eyeliner, shadow — for a super-striking look that lets her gorgeous skin shine. We're calling it the Beyoncé-fied no-makeup selfie. And we are here for it.
Photo: Via @beyonce/Instagram.
Adele The singer is as known for her signature cat-eye as she is for her gut-wrenching lyrics and a voice that could make angels cry.
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
But Adele recently ditched the statement eyeliner — and all other makeup — in a series of barefaced snaps posted to Instagram. And we dug it, big time.
She snapped her own #wokeuplikethis moment recently, and now we just have one question: What moisturizer do you use, girl?
Photo: @gwenstefani/Instagram.
Eva Longoria For years, the actress has made her mark in the world of beauty, from her contract with L'Oréal to her Instagram makeup tutorials.
Photo: David Becker/Getty Images.
But when she's out with friends — like in this snap — she's down to rock a bare face, too.
Photo: Via @evalongoria/Instagram.
Rihanna RiRi knows a thing or two about beauty. Not only does she experiment with every look imaginable — from pink hair to bold lips — she's also coming out with her very own cosmetics line, called Fenty.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
But when she's on vacation, her makeup goes on vacation too. (Can we transport ourselves there now, please?)
Photo: Via @badgalriri/Instagram.
Cara Delevingne The model is known for her bold-and-not-sorry-'bout-it brows — triggering one hell of a movement that's been going strong for years. And often, she likes to accentuate those brows with bold, cool shadow looks.
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
But if she weren't a model and actress whose job required spending hours in a makeup chair, Delevingne says, "If I had a choice, I wouldn't wear makeup and I would just jump around in pyjamas all day."
Photo: Via @caradelevingne/Instagram.
Katie Holmes
She is someone who always exudes natural beauty — and her makeup and fashion choices often give off that girl-next-door vibe, whether she's dolled up or dressed down.
Photo: Paul Bruinooge/Getty Images.
If her latest Instagram posts within the past few weeks are any indication, we'd guess that Holmes isn't afraid of a bare-faced selfie. And people are loving it: One user wrote, "More beautiful without makeup – you cannot improve already-genuine beauty."
Photo: Via @katieholmes212/Instagram.
Ashley Graham
The industry-shifting model once said to us, "Sexy is a state of mind" — and her oft-changing hair and makeup looks prove you can also be sexy plenty different ways.
Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images.
...And that includes an au naturale look. Here, Graham shows off her makeup-free visage (and killer cheekbones) while on vacay.
Photo: Via @theashleygraham/Instagram.
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What's trendy and cute isn't always what's warm and practical for winter — this is a rule we know all too well. And far too often, we end up choosing the former over the latter. But even though it takes just a little bit more effort in the hunt, it is possible to check both the technical and on-trend boxes. So, we're tapping Tictail to help us find the best pieces since unfortunately, the season is far from over.
A native of the East Coast, Tictail's Rachel Fletcher is no stranger to the harsh cold or NYC’s always unpredictable winter weather. When Rachel started working at Tictail, however, her aptitude for surviving (and stylishly thriving!) in the cold increased tenfold. As Senior Retention Marketing Manager, she makes frequent trips to the company’s office in Stockholm, a city known for its dark and seemingly extra-long winters.
Now, several years since her very first trip to Sweden, with many winters under her belt, Rachel’s expertly stocked cold-weather wardrobe has earned her the recognition among her coworkers as the queen of all things cozy — so who better to turn to for a few pointers on the best winter buys this season? Because let’s face it, we still have two more months of winter ahead of us. Might as well weather the cold looking cute.
"Layers on layers on layers. Siizu makes the best sweaters that are the ultimate in practical winter dressing."
"I’m all about cute + functional—but I definitely skew toward functional. If a garment can cover my head, my neck, and my knees and still look cool, it’s pretty much a guaranteed purchase."
"Two reasons to buy these boots: 1. Winter whites are seriously underrated. 2. These boots are 100% leather, handmade in Portugal, and cost less than $100. (Okay that’s, like, five reasons!)"
One day, when I finally publish my memoirs of my time as a beauty journalist (working title: Will There Be Food At This Press Launch, Or Just Canapés?), I will dedicate whole swaths of the book to the most egregious products in the industry. Cellulite creams will be up there, along with "detox" teas, and any lotion that claims to defy gravity and "lift" your butt or boobs. You know what else will be in there? Shampoos that claim to make your hair grow faster. They’re the emperor's new clothes of the beauty world.
"You can never make your hair cells grow faster than they naturally can," trichologist Iain Sallis confirms. If you weren’t lucky enough to be born into a gene pool of prolific hair-growers, you have to accept the rate of your hair growth, however protracted it may be. That being said, there’s a glimmer of hope — if your diet or routine is lacking, there may be some obstacles in the way of your hair achieving its full potential.
"The health of your body is inextricably linked to the health of your hair," Sallis says. "I try and tell my patients to think of their hair as a delicate piece of couture that can wear out if not treated properly." You wouldn’t throw a cashmere sweater in the dishwasher and hope for the best — so why would you abuse your hair and expect locks like Rapunzel?
If you want to maximize your hair’s growth potential (and keep the hair you already have strong), it’s about taking a three-pronged approach: diet, scalp care, and styling. "If you lack in certain minerals, vitamins, and proteins, your hair will start growing slower. To make hair grow at its optimum level, you need a lot of protein and iron," Sallis explains. That’s right — yet another reason to grin and bear a morning protein shake. "Red meat, oily fish, and eggs are fantastic for hair, as they all have the sulfur-rich amino acids your body uses to make new hair cells."
Obviously, the supplement question comes into play here. Who among us hasn’t been tempted by an influencer touting miraculous hair-growth pills, their mouth slightly agape to reveal what looks like candy between their teeth? Personally, I’ve taken pretty much every specialized hair supplement under the sun — and almost all of them made me feel positively queasy, even when I took them with food. (All that biotin will do that to you.) The only one I found I could stomach, and which made my hair feel incredible, was supermodel-beloved Viviscal. But Sallis says that what you should really be looking for is sulfur-rich amino acids, paired with a basic iron supplement. (Make sure you take the iron on its own on an empty stomach, as lots of foods and drinks, including coffee, interact with it.)
And from there, it’s on to your scalp. "Scalp health is so crucial," Sallis says. "There’s evidence that suggests having inflammation on the scalp may induce excessive shedding." A clean, healthy scalp is a happy scalp, so take the time to get yours scrupulously clean and free from irritants. "Wash your hair regularly — it’s a myth that it dries the hair out," says Sallis, who swears that washing your hair and scalp more regularly can clean up the majority of your issues. For problematic or sensitive scalps, he recommends using a medicated shampoo or something specifically formulated for sensitivity, without added colors or perfumes.
I’m sure we could all sing the golden rules of haircare (use heat protection, don’t brush too hard when wet, avoid too much styling) in a two-part harmony by now — but it bears repeating, especially if you're wondering why the hell your hair seems stuck in midlength purgatory. "Heat-styling is a way of life now, so I would never ask anyone to give up their straighteners or hairdryer, but there are ways to avoid damaging your hair," Sallis says. "When you use a hairdryer, don’t press it right on your hair or brush or the heat will jump exponentially within seconds." That means moving the hairdryer away from the hair shaft a bit, rather than laying the nozzle right on the stands — and consider investing in wooden-handled brushes. Metal brushes will keep getting hotter and hotter as you dry, which is a recipe for damage.
Long, strong hair is built, not made overnight, and this is only the foundation. Tweak your diet if necessary, clean your scalp, pop a pill (if you like), ease up on the heat — and hang in there. Reaching your #hairgoals will be worth the wait.
It's not always easy being an early adopter. When you jump on to trends before they're, well, a thing, you're in for a real treat as soon as you step out in public. Whether combatting perplexed looks on the subway or being served straight-up "WTF?"s from coworkers at the office, it's easy to resent being the first one to wear a trend before anyone else is on board with it. Sure, we live for being the first ones to try anything fashion-related, but the task doesn't always come without questioning.
And, this year is no different for we editors here at R29. Ahead, these are the trends we're putting ourselves out there for this year, because we're betting they'll eventually be big. We may not have the support from our peers just yet, but we're willing to take the chance for all of you to give these fads the kickstarts they need. With high risk comes high reward, right? So, click ahead for the trends our editors are betting on right now — and when these seriously hit the mainstream, don't say we didn't call it.
"I'm eyeing a few pairs of pleated pants to add to my closet this season. They're extra comfy and effortlessly cool paired with a pair of tennis shoes or flat boot." —Emilly Holland, Styling Director
"Three words: Spice Girl sneakers. You may not be quite ready to embrace these marshmallow-y, borderline-orthopedic sneakers just yet, but my inner Baby Spice is itching to break back out. Sorry, not sorry." —Alyssa Coscarelli, Fashion Market Editor
"The older I get, the more I realize that I actually do want to be comfortable in what I'm wearing. (Sorry to any fashionistas out there who prefer fashion over function.) But I also just hate carrying a bag. I chose a utility style jacket with a ton of pockets because sometimes you just need places to put stuff, ya know?" — Landon Peoples, Fashion Writer
"If I don't end up dressing like a Sister Wife at least one day a week, I'll consider 2018 to be a failure. Give me a high-neck, long-sleeve, floral-print maxi dress and a pair of white sneakers, and I'm sold." — Erin Cunningham, Fashion News Director
"Square necklines! Natalie Portman's Golden Globes gown reminded me how badly a part of me wants to dress like a Medieval heroine, Ella Enchanted style. A square-necked top looks fancy, but isn't complicated to wear (aka, does not require an advanced bra), and provides the great added bonus of making your head look like a marble bust." — Connie Wang, Senior Fashion Features Writer
"This year I think we'll see a return to basics, so personally, it's all about the humble white sock. Although I have a sock drawer full of sparkly numbers, there's something about the classic cotton version that I find really appealing — they go with everything and nothing at the same time. You could get fancy and buy the ones by Balenciaga or Valentino, but I'm sticking to the good ol' pack of 6 by a little-known iconic label known as Hanes." — Laia Garcia, Senior Fashion Editor
"I'm excited for women's workwear to be huge in 2018. I love the idea of brightly colored shirt jackets with matching pants as well as contrast stitching on heavy duty fabrics. I think it's been a "thing" for awhile now - like utilitarian jumpsuits and work pants, but I'm excited to see how the trend is taken a step further and how people will bring their own personality into it. It's such a comfortable trend but also something that makes you feel powerful and a little bit tough. I love a slightly oversized fit so it's a trend I will gladly participate in." —Michelle Li, Associate Stylist
"This season, I am betting on maximalism becoming a thing again. People want to dress up again.I'm talking the most obnoxious furs, prints, and patterns you can think of — all at once. Or maybe, that's just me?" - Channing Hargrove, Fashion News Writer
When Laura Evans, a freelance writer living in upstate New York, opened her Sephora Favorites box last year and found a Foreo Luna Play, she did not see a pulsating, silicone facial cleansing device: She saw a sex toy — and a damn good one at that. "It's a straight-up vibrator that Foreo slapped some Koosh ball bits on. It's like a soft, cuddly version of a classic bullet, with the perfect, mellow vibe intensity," she says. She's never used it to wash her face.
Sara *, a yoga instructor in the Midwest, discovered the Luna's powers after realizing she forgot to pack her vibrator for a trip. "It was so expensive, but I didn't notice it doing anything for my skin, so I was like, why not? It's not that intense, but it definitely gets the job done," she says.
They're not the only ones who realized possibilities beyond pore-cleansing. The trailer for the upcoming movie Blockers, about a group of parents determined to stop their kids from losing their virginity on prom night, features a horrified John Cena discovering a hot pink electric toothbrush in his daughter's underwear drawer. She grabs it, snaps the brush head on, and gets to work on her oral hygiene. (Foreo's Issa Play, which the brand says lasts up to 800 uses, looks very similar.)
Twitter users have also pointed out just how closely the Swedish brand's colorful facial offerings resemble the types of objects designed to deliver orgasms — specifically those made by another Swedish company, Lelo.
Foreo is just a $200 vibrator that they want you to rub all over your face.
when my bf picked up a Foreo in Sephora and turned it on, he honestly thought it was a vibrator and was very confused as to why it was being sold in a makeup store
Maybe everyone needs to get their heads out of the gutter — just because a thing vibrates doesn't mean it's for your clit, right? Except there are a few striking similarities between the companies.
A quick comparison of the two sites reveals like page layouts, fonts, and product color schemes. Then there are the names: Foreo offers the Luna Luxe, a $6,500 gold-plated facial cleanser; Lelo sells Luna Beads Luxe, a $3,090 pair of "subtly vibrating" gold beads meant to be inserted into, well, you know. Even the business registration numbers on each site's Terms of Use page are the same, along with the office address.
But defining the relationship directly with the brand’s stakeholders proved difficult. When I recently sat down with Foreo CEO Paul Peros to hear about one of the upcoming product launches and get a comment for this story, he downplayed any connection between the two companies and insisted that the only commonality was a shared investor. R29 asked if he'd heard about people using the facial devices as sex toys and he declined to comment for publication.
A week later, after Foreo's Global PR Manager also told me over email that the connection is just that both companies were founded in Sweden and share a common investor, another brand representative finally confirmed the telling details: that Filip Sedic founded Lelo, his brother Pavle Sedic founded Foreo, and at one point, Pavle was the president and chairman of Lelo.
It makes you wonder why the brand doesn't promote this connection more. What's not to love about getting off and getting glowing skin? Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner says that sonic vibrations may help dislodge debris and enhance the effectiveness of cleansing ingredients, and the science is already there that orgasms can boost collagen production and decrease inflammation by lowering cortisol — it seems like a win-win.
But that's assuming everyone is of the belief that human sexuality is a beautiful thing you shouldn't be ashamed of — and we sure as hell know that's not the case. Foreo, it turns out, sells its products in regions with some pretty conservative ideas around sex, sex toys, and masturbation. Consider Alabama, where it's against the law to sell "any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs" under the Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act, and Saudi Arabia, where masturbation is forbidden under Sharia Law and sex toys are on the list of prohibited imports. A call to a Sephora in Huntsville and a brief scan of Sephora's Saudi Arabian site indicates the cleansing devices are available for purchase in both areas.
Foreo has not acknowledged this alternative use of its product, and does not promote its cleansing devices as a way to circumvent the law. But at the end of the day, horny humans have shown themselves to be a resourceful bunch. Whether under conservative Republican state government or Sharia, if there's a will, there's a way. If you do happen to be in the position to get yourself a Lelo Soraya, though, let's just say this: It's worth burning in hell for.
* Names have been changed.
The tweets included do not reflect the views of Refinery29.
Not all of us were born to be meal-prepping masterminds. For some of us (okay most of us), Sundays are for sleeping. And meal prep? That's where The Culinistas come in. Founded by Jill Donenfeld and Tiana Tenet, the Culinistas is a private chef service that is essentially Lyft for homemade meals. Instead of someone driving you to the airport, you get a talented chef that grocery shops, comes to your home, preps, and cooks your meals for the week. The service brings together skilled chefs who customize the meals to your liking, revolutionizing the meal prepping game.
Since the service is currently only offered in New York, we asked the pros to bless us with a few grocery tips: tips that even the sleepiest, most minimal of culinary masterminds could use on their own to easily take portioning and packing skills to new heights. ( Cue dramatic movie trailer music.) Now that is something worth getting out of bed for this weekend.
And fortunately, we've got just that kind of fire food guide ahead. Scroll on for the ten ways in which you can step up your own prepping games (no professional chef required) straight from chefs who meal prep for a living (literally). These tips will set you up for a week of homemade meal success — while still being able to hit that snooze button on Sunday.
You already carried that 4-pound squash up a fifth-floor walkup, so why only use half? When buying big, bulky vegetables (like a head of cauliflower or kabocha squash) use them all up in multiple recipes throughout the week.
One idea is to use a veggie as both the dip and the crudité. Choose a few other favorite crudité options like peppers, broccoli and radishes, then turn any extras into sides like roasted radishes or charred broccoli. Roasted peppers can also be blended into a rich sauce to pour over a grain bowl for lunch.
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Limit waste and save your budget by shopping bulk bins for dry goods and piece-by-piece produce and protein options.
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Find your local spice shop and stock up on everything from onion powder to urfa. We give our clients a curated spice set from Burlap & Barrel, which our recipes rely on to enhance flavor and depth.
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Do all your produce prep work as soon as you get home from the grocery store. Wash, peel, cut, slice, etc. Get those ingredients ready to pull from the fridge and use them right away, so you won't have to worry about it later.
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Make big batches of stock from leftover bits of vegetables and proteins that can be saved, stored, and used down the line in future recipes. Stock comes in handy as a flavorful water replacement when cooking, blanching, or boiling. Freeze your stock in small, plastic bags for easy ingredient additions (E.g. 1-2 cups for cooking rice, etc.)
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Do half the cooking and make ingredients go twice as far; One night's tuna steak is the perfect protein for a niçoise salad later in the week.
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Instead of tossing out extra unused veggies, flavor them with your favorite spices and lay them out flat on a baking sheet (to prevent clumping) before freezing for 1-2 hours. Afterwards, transfer the goods to freezer-safe resealable bag and store in the freezer until you're ready to roast them at a later date.
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Tfw you are forced to buy an entire bunch of herbs when the recipe only calls for a sprig or two? It's the worst. And since these delicate greens can't hold up in the fridge, the next best bet to salvaging them is by chopping them up and infusing your favorite oil. Store the oil in an airtight vessel in a cool cupboard for use on a salad, drizzled on popcorn, or even for dipping a loaf of your favorite crusty bread in.
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Blend up any extra nuts and seeds in your cupboard to use as longer-lasting, shelf-stable creamy sauces and dressings. Store them in the fridge for up to a week, bring them to room temperature, and thin them out with water, oil, or citrus before use.
Illustrated by Louisa Cannell.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
In an oversaturated sneaker market, staying relevant isn't an easy feat. But when you're dealing with a classic like Reebok 's Freestyle Hi silhouette, it's no surprise to see it standing out among the noise. Since the '80s (when Freestyle His were all the rage thanks to the aerobics craze), this sporty-casual shoe has grown to become a true street style fixture with a fervent following. These days, you can catch them paired with just about anything, from edgy fishnet and sock combos and monochrome sweat sets to more elevated culotte or dress ensembles — proving the endless versatility.
In response to the continued popularity, Reebok gave it a fresh update for spring '18, and the result is a cool color gradient of footwear fit for any taste. In the pack, you'll find satin-bow lace-ups in a pale-pink wash, metallic Velcro high-tops in high-shine gold and silver, and soft-hued steppers that offer the perfect alternative to boring white ones. Plus, with an under-$100 price tag, you won't have to drop all of the dough to get your hands on a pair. See the five options we're ready to abandon our winter boots for, straight ahead.
Give your footwear a galaxy-girl vibe with these silvery sneakers.
WARNING: So many spoilers ahead! Plot twists unraveled. Endings revealed. Proceed at your own risk.
March 16 marks the 15th anniversary of the release of Christopher Nolan’s Memento, one of the greatest mindfuck movies of all time. What makes something a quality mindfuck movie? Sometimes, it’s a twist ending that seems to come out of nowhere and truly shocks you, because the reveal means you have to go back and rethink everything that happened during the course of the entire movie.
Take The Sixth Sense, for example. After you found out that Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) was dead the entire time, you had to recall every scene in which you thought Dr. Crowe interacted with characters besides Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment). Nope; it turns out he only interacts with Cole after he gets shot in the beginning of the movie. He really has been dead the whole time. M. Night Shyamalan, you trickster, you.
Other times, a movie fucks with your head from beginning to end. It leads you one way, then swerves sharply to the left. The plot isn't remotely linear, although it appeared to be (ahem, Triangle). Or you can’t even figure out what’s going on at all. Think Christopher Nolan’s Inception, or Shane Carruth's Primer.
And then there are psychological thrillers like Black Swan and The Machinist, which trap the viewer inside a character’s breakdown without providing a complete picture of what’s happening. In the words of U2, “Now you're stuck in a moment, and you can’t get out of it.” Also in the words of U2: "Don't say that later will be better," because you'll be obsessing about what happened in that goddamn movie you just watched. (Sidenote: Is Bono a mindfuck movie prophet? Please discuss.)
But when it comes to this magical mindfuckery that makes you wonder what you just watched for hours on end, why would you ever want to want to get out of these moments?
And one more reminder that there are MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD — so major you may as well call them majorettes and stick 'em in front of a marching band twirling batons.
Ex Machina(2015) Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscaar Isaac, Alicia Vikander Directed By: Alex Garland Written By: Alex Garland
Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) wins the dream trip of every programmer at his search engine company. He's invited to the remote house of the Blue Book's eccentric founder, Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). Nathan is weird, sure — but also seems relatively friendly. He shows him Blue Book's newest revolutionary technology: Robots that look real. Caleb is supposed to test the robot, Ava, for consciousness. Nathan and Caleb have faith in the fact that they are more dominant than Ava. But Ex Machina goes off the rails when Ava begins to assert her dominance, and potentially outsmart them.
Arrival(2016) Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner Directed by: Denis Villeneuve Written by: Eric Heisserer
Arrival begins with the appearance of 12 gigantic spaceships in far-flung locations around the world. After some time, it becomes clear that these spacecrafts aren't bearing weapons — but why are they there? Louise (Amy Adams) is a renowned linguist, and is recruited to try and communicate with these aliens. She leaves behind her lonely life, populated only by the memories of her young daughter's illness and subsequent death. Louise and her partner, played by Renner, make breakthroughs in the intentions of these mysterious, looming creatures, that somehow connect back to Louise's daughter.
Alias Grace(2017) Starring: Sarah Gadon, Edward Holcroft Directed By: Mary Herron Written By: Sarah Polley
If you're in the mood for a mind-bending work of pop culture, then Alias Grace is a great slow-burning, long-running option. Over the course of six episodes, Alias Grace brings the notorious double-murder that captivated Canada's attention in 1843 to life. Mainly, the show fixates on the figure of Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), who may have orchestrated the crime, or may have been completely innocent, depending on what you think a 16-year-old girl is capable of. Gadon's performance will have you reeling.
Frailty Starring: Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey Directed by: Bill Paxton Written by: Brent Hanley
Fenton Meeks (Matthew McConaughey) goes to the F.B.I. with a story of two boys look up to their father. They live with him. They trust him. And then, he becomes convinced that he's a messenger of God, a conduit through which his plan will be enacted. Somehow, this story relates to the Bureau's investigation for a serial killer who goes by the name of "God's Hands."
Gerald's Game(2017) Starring: Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood Directed by: Mike Flanagan Written by: Mike Flanagan
Gerald and his wife, Jessie, take a romantic retreat to try to inject some life back into their marriage. He convinces her to try out handcuffs. Then, wen she's strapped to the bed, Gerald goes into cardiac arrest...and dies. After hours chained up, Jessie begins to hallucinate. The shadowy man that comes to her bed, though – he is no vision.
Gone Girl(2014) Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike Directed By: David Fincher Written By: Gillian Flynn
On the surface, Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) have the perfect marriage. But all's not well in the kingdom of Denmark — or, in this case, we should say Carthage, Missouri. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing inexplicably, and leaves Nick as the prime suspect. As with the novel, the film shifts between perspectives of the two people in the marriage. Things are not as they seem in the disappearance or in the marriage.
Asylum Seekers(2009) Starring: Pepper Binkley, Bill Dawes, Judith Hawking Directed By: Rania Ajami Written By:Rania Ajami, Jake Pilikian
In this weird little indie, six people try to escape from the mundanity of their daily lives by checking into a mental asylum. The problem? There's only room for one of them. They'll have to compete to prove which is the most mentally unstable, and thus worthy of entering the psychiatric hospital.
The Illusionist(2006) Starring: Ed Norton, Jessica Biel Directed by: Neil Burger Written by: Neil Burger, Steven Millhauser
This movie is often lumped with Christopher Nolan's The Prestige, since they're both period piece magician films. But The Illusionist has a twist of its own. Edward Norton plays Eisenheim the Illusionist in Vienna in the year 1889. He was locked in a love triangle with the Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary (casual) and a woman named Sophie (Jessica Biel), as he tells the Vienna's Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti), who's inspecting Eiseinheim's role in Sophie's death. Uhl thinks he has figured out what happened between Sophie, Leopold, and Eisenheim, but he forgets that he's dealing with an illusionist. There are things Eisenheim will continue to reveal over the course of his retelling, twists that he designed long ago.
Split(2017) Starring: James MacAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan Written by: M. Night Shyamalan
Kevin (James McAvoy) is a handful to deal with, perhaps because he has 23 personalities. He kidnaps three teenagers, subjecting them to the full gamut of his mental state. "Dennis" is Kevin's dominant personality, but there's one who has yet to emerge. And that personality wants control.
Of course, since it's a Shyamalan movie, lots of violent and fascinating twists follow that set Split up for a sequel.
Sliding Doors Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah Directed by: Peter Howitt Written by: Peter Howitt
Sliding Doors is the most philosophical rom-com around. Depending on whether Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) manages to board a London tube train, her life branches off into wildly different directions. In one reality, Helen gets on the train, and catches her boyfriend with another woman. In another, she misses the train, and continues to be betrayed by him. Eventually, these two realities intertwine in a bittersweet way. Sliding Doors is a reminder that our life paths are shaped by insignificant decisions, which eventually have massive repercussions. Think of that next time you get on a subway.
Mother!(2017) Starring: Javier Bardem, Jennifer Lawrence Directed by: Darren Aronofsky Written by: Darren Aronofsky
This is a two-hour long mind bend. Aronofsky didn't make Mother! to give audiences an enjoyable movie experience. Instead, Mother!, the story of a woman married to an older artist in an old house, is designed to make you uncomfortable. As you watch Jennifer Lawrence's character unspool house's that's changing in wild ways, you might lose your grip, too.
Coherence(2014) Starring: Emily Baldoni, Maury Sterling, Nicholas Brendon Written By: James Ward Byrkit Directed By: James Ward Byrkit
A comet flies overhead while a group of friends are at a dinner party. This cosmic phenomenon has big effects on the neighborhood. The comet actually rearranges different realities, so that people can quickly cross from one dimension to another. When the eight party members explore the neighborhood after the power goes out, they don't realize that they're actually crossing over into multiple realities, and meeting other version of them selves. Eventually, this intertwining will cease. Which reality will they get stuck in?
Equally astounding is how the film was made. Each day, the actors received a notecard with some rudimentary direction and motivation for their characters. And then, everyone just acted. No script. No special effects. Just real people, acting, and blowing your mind.
A Tale of Two Sisters Starring: Yum Jung-Ah, Soo-jung Lim Written By: Kim Jee-woon Directed By: Kim Jee-woon
This Korean thriller has everything you could want in a mind f*** movie. A beautifully decorated house with skeletons in every closet. A family with secrets. Many, many questions of identity.
The story starts when teenager Su-mi (Yeom Jeong-ah) is released from a mental institution, and moves back home with her sister, Su-yeon (Su-jeong Lim) and their father. Their father has recently remarried the former nurse of their biological mother. The surreal events that follow are based loosely on a traditional Korean folktale.
Altered States Starring: William Hurt Directed by: Ken Russell Written by: Paddy Chayefsky
This Harvard professor is extremely devoted to his studies. Perhaps too devoted, considering Eddie Jessup's (William Hurt) studies are the effects of hallucinogenic drugs in curing psychological conditions, like schizophrenia. As he continues to flip-flop between sensory deprivation and hallucinations, the real world literally starts to become a palette upon which he casts his imagination. With its visual pyrotechnics and sound effects, this experimental film pulls viewers into Eddie's reality, or lack thereof.
The Shining(1980) Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelly Duvall Directed by: Stanley Kubrick Written by: Stanley Kubrick, Diane Johnson
While a staple of the horror movie genre, The Shining is, at its core, a mind-blowing movie of the psychological thriller genre — plus some ghosts. After getting the bright idea to move his family to a Colorado resort in winter, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) descends into madness. As he stalks the hallways creepily, his young son begins to have psychic premonitions indicating that the Overlook Hotel itself is preying on its new, unwanted inhabitants.
The Skin I Live In(2011) Starring: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar Written by: Pedro Almodóvar
When you see an Almodóvar film, you know to expect a certain level of weirdness — typically in uncommon relationship pairings and deep, twisted histories between people. In his take on a psychological thriller, Almodóvar keeps those elements (especially the deep, twisted histories) and cranks them up to terrifying heights. In the film, Banderas plays a plastic surgeon, Robert Legard, intent on developing a synthetic skin able to save the lives of burned victims, since his own wife had died of burns. With the help of his faithful servant, Legard takes a woman named Vera captive to function as his in-house lab rat. As the movie proceeds, you see that Vera's relationship to Legard is far more complicated than just prisoner and captive. Unweaving The Skin I Live In 's many plot twists would require a thesis. Better to watch and bite your nails yourself.
Sound Of My Voice (2012) Starring: Brit Marling, Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicious Directed by: Zal Batmanglij Written by: Brit Marling, Zal Batmanglij
This 2012 thriller starring Brit Marling will send you reeling. The film also stars Christopher Denham and Nicole Vicious as two journalists Peter and Lorna who attempt to infiltrate an insular cult in order to take it down. Marling plays Maggie, the leader of the cult. Maggie is from the year 2054, and she's here to collect a group of people to save the future world. Her followers wear all white and perform a super-secret special handshake. She's also wanted for several felonies.
The mind fuckery in this movie never allows you to decide if Maggie is lying or not. First, you're with Peter and Lorna, doubting this snake oil-peddler. But when Peter starts to buy into Maggie's narrative, you begin to doubt your own conviction. Maybe Maggie is from the future.
The moment of decision occurs when Maggie instructs Peter to kidnap a little girl — the girl is allegedly Maggie's mother. Will he comply? Yes. And then the big shocker happens: the little girl knows the cult's secret handshake. Ostensibly, the girl taught it to Maggie at some point in the future.
But before you can say, "gee, that was a whammy," Maggie is arrested, courtesy of Lorna. And you, the viewer, still don't know who was lying and who was crazy.
Primal Fear(1996)
Starring: Richard Gere, Edward Norton, Laura Linney Directed by: Gregory Hoblit
A meek, young altar boy with a stutter is charged with the murder of an archbishop. Martin Vail, a Chicago defense attorney who likes a challenge, agrees to take Aaron Stampler's case — though the evidence is racked up against Stampler. As the case proceeds, Vail uncovers that Stampler was part of a sex ring the Archbishop was running. After years of abuse, Stampler developed a violent alter ego named Roy, who carries out the murder.
After the judge finds Stampler not guilty by reason of insanity, Stampler reveals that Roy isn't his alter ego. Aaron is. The stutter and the meekness was all a front.
Blade Runner (1982)
Starring: Harrison Ford
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, based on a novel by Phillip K. Dick
In this distant future, androids, called replicants, are physically indistinguishable from humans. They can only be rooted out through the Voight-Kampff interrogation system, a series of questions replicants are incapable of answering.
Replicants aren't allowed on earth, but sometimes they escape their off-world colonies and seek refuge amongst humans. People like Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) are blade-runners, and it's their job to sniff out replicants. While he's on his biggest mission yet, Deckard falls for a highly advanced replicant — so human he begins to doubt his entire society's system.
The ambiguous ending implies that Deckard may be an android himself.
The Lobster(2016)
Starring: Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by: Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou
In this dystopian future, all individuals unable to find a long-term relationship are turned into animals. Single stragglers are sent to the Hotel, where they're supposed to find a partner within 45 days, or be sent into the Woods in their new beastly state. Colin Farrell plays David, a man at the Hotel who decides to join the loners, people who drop out of society and abstain from sex. How you read the film's ambiguous ending determines how you feel about love, relationships, and sacrifice.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez
Directed by: Guillermo Del Toro
Written by: Guillermo Del Toro
Five years after the Spanish Civil War, a girl named Ofelia becomes pulled into a fantasy world outside her doorstep. In a twist straight out of Narnia, she's led to a labyrinth, where she meets a wily faun and lots of other unforgettable creatures. The faun swears that Ofelia is actually a princess, but in order to unlock her status, she has to complete a series of tasks.
Meanwhile, Ofelia's pregnant mother becomes sicker and sicker. Her sadistic army captain of a step-father becomes meaner and meaner. And the fantasy world becomes incredibly dark.
The Truman Show (2013)
Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Ed Harris
Directed by: Peter Weir
Written by: Andrew Nicchol
Truman Burbank has lived his entire life in the quintessence of small-town America. His community is tight-knit and supportive, and everyone plays their roles. That's because, of course, they're all playing roles. Truman is the only non-actor in the reality TV show about his life. Slowly, he begins to put the pieces together — and then he'll do anything to get out, and trod a world that's much better than he ever could've imagined.
Even more mind-blowing than The Truman Show 's plot are its implications. What if everyone you know is in on the joke?
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Starring: Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Directed by: Charlie Kaufman
Written by: Charlie Kaufman
This is an indie film with the mantra, "art imitates life imitates art, and repeat." In Synecdoche, New York, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Caden Conrad, a troubled theater director who throws himself into a strangely realistic theater piece. In a warehouse in Manhattan, a group of actors live out their fictionalized, constructed lives. Soon, the warehouse takes on the realism of the bustling city outside. The years pass. The plot grows convoluted. Caden hires doppelgangers for the actors to make the endeavor even more hectic. As Caden loses his mind, who will be there to give the play direction?
A Scanner Darkly(2006)
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder
Directed by: Richard Linklater
Written by: Richard Linklater
Based on the mind-bending novel by William S. Gibson, this movie uses an uncanny animation technique to capture the interplay between reality and unstable mental states. A Scanner Darkly is set in a totalitarian state in the future, after America has lost the war on drugs. Over 20% of the population is hooked on a drug called Substance D. In response, the government has developed an underground network of informants to try to infiltrate the drug supply chain.
Detective Bob Arctor is a cog in this machine, assigned to immerse himself in the shady underworld. But once he's in with the addicts, it's impossible to stop becoming hooked himself. At the New Path recovery center, Bob begins to lose his identity and experience schizophrenic behavior.
Spider(2002)
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gabriel Byrne
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Written by: Patrick McGrath
After years in a sanitarium, Denis Cleg moves to a halfway house for the mentally disturbed. And for an hour and a half, we enter into the suffering, shifty mindset of a man trying to piece together a formative memory from this childhood. In flashbacks, Denis sees his father, his mother, the prostitute with whom his father is involved, and a younger version of himself. Within Denis's mind, the four characters go through a choreography of remembrance. What are the events that led to his mother's murder? You'll find out the answer to that question in this psychological thriller, but it's not the twist that'll stay with you. Denis's twisted perspective will haunt you.
The Matrix(2013)
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Lawrence Fisburne
Directed by: Lana and Lily Wachowski
Written by: Lana and Lily Wachowski
Neo lives through every 1990s kid's nightmare: finding out that he's living, essentially, in The Sims. Our trusty protagonist discovers that everything he thinks of as "reality" is actually a video game-esque simulation. Once he realizes that nothing is real, then everything (including dodging bullets) is possible.
But The Matrix recognizes the burden of such knowledge. In one of cinema's most iconic scenes, Neo is offered the red pill to proceed on his journey, or the blue pill to forget and go back to the way he was. Neo chooses the red pill; the rest is movie history.
The Fountain (2006)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Written by: Darren Aronofsky
We can tell you what happens in The Fountain, but we can’t confirm what actually happens.
This intricate magical romantic drama interweaves three storylines separated by centuries and miles. In the first, Hugh Jackman plays Tom Creo, a 21st century doctor losing his wife, Izzi (Rachel Weisz), to cancer. Tom’s consumed with finding a cure using samples from “The Tree of Life,” a species found in South America, and forgoes quality time with Izzi for time in his lab.
While he’s in the lab, Izzi takes to the pen and writes a story about a conquistador, Tomas Verde, searching for the Tree of Life for Queen Isabella. But Izzi doesn’t have time to finish the story — she asks him to finish it. While they stare at the stars, Izzi imagines they’ll meet, once again, the stars. Appropriately, the final narrative is set in deep space, with an astronaut named Tommy.
But we’ve laid things out in an easy way. In truth, nothing is told in chronological order, not even the storylines themselves. The three storylines are confusingly connected and difficult to unweave.
Acknowledging the infinite interpretative possibilities of the movie, Aronofsky said, “[The film is] very much like a Rubik's Cube, where you can solve it in several different ways, but ultimately there's only one solution at the end.” He believes the film is about coming to terms with your own death. It’s a beautiful film, if a grim message.
Timer(2009)
Starring: Emma Caulfield, Michelle Borth
Directed by: Jac Schaffer
Written by: Jac Schaffer
What if you could count down to the exact moment you’d meet your soulmate? People in this alternate reality can opt into just that. When a TiMER device is implanted, a countdown begins to establish just that. Oona O’Leary, Timer ’s protagonist, faces an uncommon quandary: her TiMER is blank, which means her soulmate — whoever he is — has yet to get his TiMER implanted.
Steph, her roommate and sister, has a TiMER that indicates she won’t meet her soulmate until she’s 43. She’s been seeing Dan, a widower who doesn’t have a TiMER so not to cheapen his marriage.
Instead of twiddling her thumbs until Mr. Right comes around, Oona dates off the TiMER. She falls for Mikey, a supermarket clerk with a countdown of four months.
After a while, Oona and Steph decide to get their TiMERs removed irrevocably. At that precise moment, though, Oona's countdown suddenly starts, meaning that her soul mate has finally gotten his TiMER. It’s the night of Oona and Steph’s birthday, and Dan, the widower, is there. As soon as she sees Dan, her own TiMER goes off. Feelings will be stepped on — what’s a girl to do?
While
Mr. Nobody (2004) Starring: Jared Leto, Diane Kruger, Rhys Ifans Directed by: Jaco Van Dormael Written by: Jaco Van Dormael
In this sci-fi-meets-coming of age movie, we see the three different paths that Jared Leto’s character’s life could have taken. A nine-year-old boy stands on a platform facing an impossible choice. He chooses to go with his mother; he chooses to go with his father; he chooses to run away. What happens next? Each path has its glories and its difficulties, and Nemo explores them all.
The film is narrated by Nemo Nobody, the man the little boy becomes, on his 118th birthday. In a sexless, ageless world, Nemo is the last living relic of the world as it was, and he’s able to track the permutations of his life. A journalist attempts to get to the truth of his story: which life did Nemo truly live? The answer will surprise you.
Mr. Nobody is an astounding, visually stunning movie that doesn’t shy away from toying with our existential quandaries, and the infinite paths of "what if."
Shutter Island (2010) Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer Directed By: Martin Scorsese Written By: Laeta Kalogridis, Dennis Lehane
Listen, put a few characters in a hospital for the criminally insane, and some mind-fuckery will occur. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a U.S. Marshall (well) in this Martin Scorsese flick. He and his new partner Chuck (played by Mark Ruffalo) investigate an escapee named Rachel Solando, who once killed her three children.
The plot twist in this series is pretty predictable: the detective is actually the patient. Surprise! Leonardo DiCaprio's stubborn Boston boss is imprisoned in the mental hospital because he killed his manic depressive wife. Cheery, no? The "investigation" was just an exercise concocted by the doctors at the asylum to help the patient escape his paranoia. The final scene of the movie implies that DiCaprio's character will soon have a lobotomy, so at the very least, there's a happy ending.
Triangle (2009) Starring: Melissa George, Joshua McIvor, Jack Taylor, Liam Hemsworth Directed By: Christopher Smith Written By: Christopher Smith
Ah, the best mind-fuckery relies on weird time jumps, and Triangle has time jumps a-plenty. The story opens like any other horror film. A few friends go yachting and end up in dangerous territory. They jump ship — literally — and head to a different ship, which ain't so friendly.
The big reveal: the "abandoned" ship forces everyone into a time loop. Events keep repeating themselves, and each time they do, a new incarnation of the person appears. As in, by the end of the film, the main character Jess (Melissa George) has at least 10 other Jesses to reckon with.
If you're still confused after viewing the movie, you're not alone. There's a 15-minute explainer on YouTube if you have the quarter hour to spare.
The Prestige (2006) Starring: Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Rebecca Hall Directed by: Christopher Nolan Written by: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan
Before there was Westworld, there was The Prestige, the movie that made absolutely no sense until it all made sense. Borne from the bananas brain of the Nolan brothers, the film focuses on two magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale.) After coming up together as young magicians, the two engage in a violent rivalry.
The big "huh?" of the film lies in Borden's "transported man" trick. Borden falls under the stage, and appears somewhere else in the theater entirely. Wow! Magic! Angier seeks to duplicate this trick, and he ultimately does by enlisting the help of Nikola Tesla. (Fun fact: David Bowie plays Tesla.)
Tesla invents a machine that clones Angier. Here's how it works: the magician clones himself. The original Angier drops beneath the stage into a water tank, where he drowns. The clone appears somewhere else in the theater, wowing the audience. Okay, cool trick, but the cost is high. Every time Angier completes the trick, he kills himself, or a version of himself. The eye-opening visual of the film occurs when Borden chances upon all the water tanks that contain versions of Angier's dead body. Damn.
Oh, but there's another twist. Want to know how Angier completed the trick? You may have seen this coming — I certainly didn't, but my father did. Angier had a twin the whole time, which is the oldest mind-fuck trick in the book. Nolan elevates that particular trick, which can seem a little cheap, by involving two separate women, both in love with Angier. The end of the movie reveals that the two women were actually in love with separate men, not the same man. (Mind. Blown.)
After Hours (1985) Starring: Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Linda Fiorentino, Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin Directed by: Martin Scorsese Written by: Joseph Minion
Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne) just really, really wants to go home. But this is New York City after hours, and only the weirdest and wackiest things happen.
Hackett is a word processor (back in the 1980s, when jobs like that actually existed). He's bored by the corporate drudgery and the uptown apartment that bookend his days. When he meets a Marcy, a woman at a diner who seems to like the same books as him, he's intrigued. Later that night, he calls Marcy up and takes a cab downtown to meet her in Soho. That's when the fun begins.
Everything goes from bad to worse for Hackett. First his cash flies out of the cab window, then he's freaked out by Marcy's weirdly intense roommate, Kiki. When he finally gets Marcy alone, she's busy rubbing some weird burn ointment on her body (but he can't really tell why). Soon enough he gets fed up and leaves. When he feels bad and returns a few hours later, Marcy has killed herself. So now he's broke, tired, and kind of on the lam, eventually taking refuge in a dive bar. Just as the Tim, the barkeep, agrees to lend Paul some money, it turns out the bartender's girlfriend killed herself in apartment in Soho. Yep, that's right: Marcy.
But Tim is a nice guy, and says that Hackett can have some cash if he runs around the corner to Tim's apartment to grab his keys to the bar's register. Twist: there's been a series of robberies in the building, so when Tim's neighbors see Paul, they assume he's the burglar, fresh from a robbery. Paul narrowly escapes their clutches, but the neighbors organize into a witch hunt, putting up posters all around the neighborhood. He then tries to hide out at a Soho nightclub, where Kiki told Marcy she'd head later.
From there, things only get weirder. One woman hits on Paul, another screams at him. When Paul asks a random guy on the street if he can crash at his apartment, the bespectacled man thinks Paul is trying to seduce him.
Finally — finally! — Paul escapes the mob and ends up in the backseat of the van of the real robbers. He's embalmed in a papier-mâché statue (that's how he escaped the mob), and falls out of the truck bed. Where does he end up? At the golden gates of his midtown office building.
Se7en(1996) Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow Directed by: David Fincher Written by: Andrew Kevin Walker
William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) is a careful, wise detective who is just a few days away from retiring. He's assigned to take a young rookie under his wing and show him the ropes of the gritty metropolis that's their turf. The young investigator, David Mills (Brad Pitt), is short-tempered and impatient, but eager to learn and get his hands dirty.
The pair slowly stumble upon a series of murders all bound by one familiar thread: the seven deadly sins. An obese man was forced to eat himself to death (gluttony); a defense attorney has his insides taken out (greed). Soon enough, Somerset and Mills find a good lead. A man named John Doe (Kevin Spacey) has been checking out library books about serial murders. They settle on him as their prime suspect and try to track him down as the murders continue.
After the fifth murder, a bloodied man meets Mills and Somerset at the police station, identifying himself as John Doe. He's been peeling off the skin on his fingertips all along, so it's impossible to perfectly ID his prints, but the men are convinced it's him. He promises to lead both detectives to the final two victims, but under very specific terms or he'll plead insanity.
Per Doe's instructions, the two detectives accompany their captive to a remote desert location. A delivery truck meets them, handing Somerset a box. Inside is the head of Mills' wife (Gwyneth Paltrow). When Doe brags about killing her and says that she was secretly pregnant, and he killed her out of his own envy. Mills weeps and hold Doe at gunpoint. Somerset protests, but he shoots him six times. Doe is the final death of the seven, because he forced Mills to give into his own wrath.
Hard Candy (2005) Starring: Ellen Page, Patrick Wilson, Sandra Oh Directed by: David Slade Written by: Brian Nelson
Patrick Wilson plays Jeff, a photographer with a thing for teenage girls. He's charming and good looking, but the set up is as creepy as it sounds. Jeff preys on young girls, messaging them online and cultivating fake relationships that he seems to hope will end with real sexual favors.
Hayley is the latest girl talked into meeting him in person. But Hayley, who wears a notable red sweatshirt, has a plan of her own. She knows of Jeff's past transgressions with his victims, and she's decided to put a stop to it.
Jeff, it turns out, doesn't just flirt with underage girls. He also rapes and kills them, according to Hayley's spying. When he lures her back to his apartment, she drugs and tortures him to get information about a dead teenage girl whose death she suspects he had a hand in.
The tension in Hard Candy mounts with an eerie quickness, mostly because of the shifting power dynamic between Jeff and Hayley (the former thinks he's in control, the latter always is).
The Invitation (2016) Starring: Logan Marshall-Green, Michiel Huisman, Tammy Blanchard, Emayatzy Corinealdi Directed by: Karyn Kusama Written by: Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi
It's been two years since a tragic accident killed Will (Marshall Green) and Eden's (Blanchard) young son in their Hollywood Hills home. Their marriage soon dissolved and, in an effort to move on, lost touch with one another. The movie begins with Will driving to his old house with his new girlfriend Kira (Corinealdi) — they've been invited to a dinner party, even though he hasn't heard from his ex-wife or her new husband in months.
Things start out warm enough, even as the stylishly modern house manages to dig up pained memories for Will. Then, out of the corner of his eye Will notices Eden's new husband David (Huisman) casually lock doors and cabinets. There are other couples there (old friends of Will and Eden's when they were married), good food, ritzy wine... it's a nice enough evening, albeit a bit awkward. Suddenly, the tone shifts. This isn't a reunion, it's a recruiting session for a cult.
A new, unfamiliar guest arrives. Everyone nestles into the living room and David asks them to keep an open mind as they watch a documentary of sorts. In the movie, a creepy pastor talks a dying woman through the end of her life. The couples all recoil, until the unfamiliar guest gives a kind of testimonial about loving his dead wife so much, and how this quasi-spirituality helped him overcome her death. The twist? He was the one who went to prison for killing her.
From there, Kusama perfectly manipulates the tension. Doors lock and unlock, and Will confronts Eden about blocking out their son's death between flashbacks of their former life together. In the thrilling climax they sit down to dinner. Eden serves a special drink. Will can't take it anymore — he demands everyone throw it out, and begs his girlfriend to leave with him. Just as he seems crazy, someone takes a sip and dies instantly. Will was right, the drink was poison.
The "invitation" was really an entry into a murder-suicide pact. Will and his girlfriend run frantically through his old house to escape Eden and David's wrath.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal, Sandy Dennis Directed by: Mike Nichols Written by: Ernest Lehman
Married couple George (Burton) and Martha (Taylor) arrive home from a party. Martha informs George that she’s invited a younger couple that she met there — Nick (Segal) and Honey (Dennis) — over for more drinks. Everyone is already quite drunk, but George and Martha get increasingly more drunk and verbally abusive towards one another.
Honey says that Martha told her about she and George’s son upcoming 16th birthday. This angers George. Honey runs to the bathroom to throw up from drinking too much. The night goes on and on with more upsetting moments.
George and Martha engage in a series of increasingly escalating games of psychological manipulation that makes their guests feel more and more uneasy. Finally, it becomes clear to Nick and Honey that the overarching game is for George and Martha to invent more and more details about their imaginary son, but to never mention his existence to anyone else. It seems that Martha lost this round, because she answers the title question, saying "I am."
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester Directed by: Stanley Kubrick Written by: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clark
As one Reddit commenter summarizing the movie very succinctly describes it, “Black box gives superpowers. Black box plus monkey equals human. Human plus black box equals star baby. Star baby is awesome.” To expand on that a little, watch the four videos on the website Kubrick 2001, which delve into how it’s not just the monolith (black box) that speeds along evolution, it’s actually the discovery and improved development of functional tools that advances first apes, and then the human race.
The question is, though, what are the three monoliths that appear in the film — one one Earth, one on the Moon, and one on Jupiter? Since they have right angles, they aren’t naturally occurring in nature. As Roger Ebert wrote in 1968, “Who put [the monolith] there? Intelligent beings since it has right angles and nature doesn't make right angles on its own.” The monoliths are merely a device Kubrick uses to advance the plot, Ebert argues.
It’s not just the monoliths’ possible meaning that throws viewers into a quandary. The ending of 2001: A Space Odyssey usually confuses viewers the most. After Dr. David Bowman (Keir Dulles) defeats HAL 9000, the supercomputer that conspired to take over the humans’ spaceship, he receives a signal from the monolith on Jupiter. Bowman travels toward the monolith only to be captured by a vortex of light.
Rather than finding himself in a sort of Gravity situation, which viewers could much more easily understand (we all know that a human left adrift in space would just perish among the glowing stars and big, black holes of nothingness), Bowman winds up in a bedroom. He watches his older self eat his final meal and die in the bed. Bowman becomes one with this older version of himself. After he dies, another monolith appears by his bed. He reaches for it and becomes the “starchild,” a glowing fetus that is transported by float beside planet Earth.
“Now where did the bedroom come from? My intuition is that it came out of Kubrick's imagination; that he understood the familiar bedroom would be the most alien, inexplicable, disturbing scene he could possibly end the film with. He was right. The bedroom is more otherworldly and eerie than any number of exploding stars, etc.,” Ebert writes by way of explanation.
It’s quite the trip.
Soylent Green (1973) Starring: Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young Directed by: Richard Fleischer Written by: Stanley R. Greenberg
Altered States (1980) Starring: William Hurt, Blair Brown Directed by: Ken Russell Written by: Sidney Aaron, Paddy Chayefsky
Edward Jessup (Hurt) is a Harvard scientist who starts experimenting with sensory deprivation tanks. He wants to take his work further, though, so he starts working with psychedelic mushrooms — only the type he uses makes everyone who takes them have the exact same trip.
One night while tripping balls in his tank, Jessup reverts back to the state of a Simian man. He climbs out of the tank and wreaks havoc on the lab and the campus security guards. A pack of wild dogs chases him to a local zoo, where he eats a sheep for his dinner. Jessup then returns to his human form.
His experiments transform him into increasingly troubling altered states. In one instance, he’s basically primordial soup; in another, he’s a vortex of light similar to the ones in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The only thing that can bring Jessup back from these states is his wife, Emily (Brown). She starts going through these altered states with him; sort of like the ying to his yang, or the fire to his brimstone.
In Jessup’s final experiment, he becomes a sort of pre-life protoplasm. His wife is the flesh into which the protoplasm fuses, and together, they form human life. It’s through this melding that they emerge whole, and Jessup learns to value his own humanity as well as his wife (they had been on the brink of divorcing).
Videodrome (1983) Starring: James Woods, Deborah Harry, Peter Dvorsky Directed by: David Cronenberg Written by: David Cronenberg
Max Renn (Woods) runs a Toronto TV station that airs sleazy shows (softcore porn; hardcore violence), but he’s always looking for the next sensational phenomenon. His coworker Harlan (Dvorsky) is responsible for pirating signals from other broadcast stations, and he picks up a show called Videodrome that he thinks is coming from Malaysia. On Videodrome, anonymous victims are brutally tortured before they’re murdered in a chamber. Then, Randy Jackson says, “A little pitchy, dawg.” (That last part isn’t true.)
Max thinks Videodrome is the future of TV and orders Halan to start pirating it for their station. He also gets Nicki Brand (Harry), a radio host, to sleep with him after she admits she’s turned on by the events depicted on Videodrome. Around the same time, a pop-culture analyst named Professor Brian O'Blivion (Jack Creley), who only appears on TV but is never seen in real life, predicts that television will one day supplant human life.
Harlan tells Max that the signal had actually been scrambled, and Videodrome ’s broadcast is really coming from Pittsburgh. Nicki goes there to audition to be on the show, which Max actually believes is fake. When Nicki doesn’t come back to Toronto, Max gets in touch with a feminist pornographer (Lynne Gorman), who tells him that Videodrome isn’t fake. It’s not just a TV show, either, it’s a political movement that Professor O’Blivion is behind.
Max finds O’Blivion’s office, The Cathode Ray Mission, and discovers that it provides homeless people with shelter, food, and water as long as they watch television, which was part of O’Blivion’s vision for the future. He’s actually been dead for over a year, though, and what people have been watching are hours of video he pre-taped in the event of his demise. O’Blivion’s socio-political movement, the Videodrome, is a war for the minds of North Americans.
The means of mind control is, of course, television; namely, viewing the Videodrome TV program. The show carries a signal that gives viewers malignant brain tumors. Max, who viewed Videodrome, also starts having hallucinations during which he thinks there’s a VCR in his stomach. O’Blivion didn’t want it to be used this way, though, but when he tried to stop his partners from doing so, they killed him.
Harlan actually showed Max Videodrome in order to get him to put it on the air as part of a government conspiracy to eradicate North America of homeless people. They insert a tape into the VCR in Max’s stomach (which has become real) that makes Max murder his coworkers. When he’s about to kill Professor O’Blivion’s daughter (Sonja Smits), who’s trying to stop the government’s plan to eliminate the poor, she’s able to reprogram him to instead kill Harlan, who’d been part of the government conspiracy to put Videodrome on the air.
Max shoots Harlan, then runs to an abandoned harbor. Nicki shows up on a television, saying that in order to completely defeat Videodrome, he has to "leave the old flesh behind." On the same television, we see Max shooting himself in the head. The set explodes, but when it does, it leaves behind bloody, human intestines. We then see Max, who watched the version of himself on TV shoot himself, do the same thing.
Jacob’s Ladder(1990) Starring: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello Directed by: Adrian Lyne Written by: Bruce Joel Robbin
The movie starts during the Vietnam War, where an American soldier named Jacob (Robbins), loses most of his unit during an attack. He runs into the jungle and gets stabbed by a bayonet.
When he wakes up four years later, he’s on the subway in New York City reading Albert Camus' The Stranger. Jacob is living with his girlfriend Jezzie (Peña) in Brooklyn, but he remembers having a wife and three sons, the youngest of which died before the war.
Jacob keeps having disturbing experiences and seeing demons everywhere, until he’s contacted by a comrade from his old unit who went catatonic during the attack in Vietnam. The comrade recovered and is now living in NYC, but he's killed when his car explodes. At his funeral, the surviving members of Jacob’s platoon say that they’ve all been having horrible experiences.
They hire a lawyer to investigate what happened to them, but after he reads their military files that say the platoon was never actually in combat, and that the soldiers had been discharged due to psychological reasons, he backs out of the case.
All of Jacob’s comrades stop pursuing the case, but he continues his search for the truth. This gets him thrown in a car and taken to a hospital, where doctors tell him that he’s already dead.
When Jacob leaves the hospital, Michael Newman (Matt Craven), the man who treated him back in Vietnam, confesses that he was a chemist who had designed “the Ladder,” a drug that triggered aggression. A large dose had been given to Jacob’s unit, and they had actually attacked one another. Jacob recalls being bayoneted in the jungle, only this time he can see an American soldier wielding the bayonet.
Now that he knows what truly happened, Jacob feels at peace. He returns to his family’s apartment, where he sees his dead son Gabe at the bottom of the stairs. Gabe takes his hand and leads him up the stairs towards a bright light. In the final scene, Jacob is in a triage tent, where military doctors declare him dead.
The Usual Suspects(1995) Starring: Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri Directed by: Bryan Singer Written by: Christopher McQuarrie
While being questioned about his role in a gun battle and drug bust gone wrong, Roger “Verbal” Kint manages to convince police that he should be let off scot-free. After he leaves the station and drops his limp, his interrogators look around the room and realize that the story Verbal concocted was based entirely on objects and names he glimpsed around the room.
Kint is actually Keyser Söze, the mastermind behind the whole scheme that led to the firefight on the ship. As he says, “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.”
Cube (1997) Starring: Maurice Dean Wint, Nicole de Boer, Nicky Guadagni, David Hewlett, Andrew Miller Directed by: Vincenzo Natali Written by: André Bijelic, Graeme Manson, Vincenzo Natali
Imagine five prisoners being stuck inside a constantly shifting, intricately booby-trapped, complexly mathematical Rubik’s Cube. They have no idea how they got there. They think they need to somehow escape in order to survive.
That’s what Cube is about, except in the end, the sole survivor ascends into a bright light. So, is the cube purgatory? A classic prisoner’s dilemma? Cube will give you a lot to think about.
The Sixth Sense(1999) Starring: Bruce Willis, Hayley Joel Osment Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan Written by: M. Night Shyamalan
A child psychologist named Malcolm Crowe (Willis) and his wife (Olivia Williams) return home from an event where he was being honored. A former patient of Crowe’s is waiting in their bathroom. He shoots Crowe and then kills himself.
The movie cuts to the following autumn, when Dr. Crowe starts working with 9-year-old Cole Sear (Osment), who claims he can see dead people and also has trouble in social situations. Malcolm works with Cole to develop his gift for communicating with the dead, but the doctor grows increasingly distant from his wife. They never talk anymore.
Eventually, Malcolm realizes what happened. He was actually killed the night he was shot. He hasn’t been able to leave the land of the living because he wants to let his wife know that she never came second to his work, and that he also can’t forgive himself for failing to help the patient who killed both Malcolm and himself. Cole really does see dead people.
Fight Club (1999) Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter Directed by: David Fincher Written by: Jim Uhls
The first rule of fight club is, of course, that you don’t talk about fight club. The second rule is that you disregard that one for the purposes of this roundup, with apologies to David Fincher and Chuck Palahniuk, the author of the novel upon which the film is based.
In this nihilistic tale, an unnamed insomniac office drone (Norton) meets a rebellious soap-maker named Tyler Durden (Pitt) on a plane. The two move into a dilapidated house on the edge of town and start an underground fight club that turns into a nation-wide organization called Project Mayhem, which protests capitalism and corporate organizations.
Eventually, the narrator realizes that Tyler Durden is merely a dissociation of his own personality. He discovers that as Tyler, he’s been plotting to destroy credit card companies by blowing up their office buildings. The narrator finally shoots himself in the cheek, killing his projection of Tyler. The film ends with the narrator and his sort-of girlfriend Marla (Bonham Carter) watching the city fall to the Pixies' “Where Is My Mind.”
Memento (2000) Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Ann Moss, Joe Pantoliano Directed by: Christopher Nolan Written by: Christopher Nola, Jonathan Nolan
Leonard Shelby (Pearce) suffers from anterograde amnesia, which means he can’t create or store new memories. This is making it difficult to track down the man he’s certain raped and murdered his wife (Jorja Fox). To make things even more confusing, the film is told through black-and-white and color sequences, and it’s not clear to the audience which come first chronologically. It’s also unclear which characters Shelby can trust — or if he’s even trustworthy himself.
Session 9 (2001) Starring: David Caruso, Peter Mullan, Stephen Gevedon, Josh Lucas Directed by: Brad Anderson Written by: Brad Anderson, Stephen Gevedon
This movie was filmed in a real mental hospital in Danvers, Massachusetts, which just adds to the authentic, chilling vibe you’ll have while watching. An asbestos removal crew (Caruso, Mullan, Gevedon, Lucas, Brendan Sexton III) is tasked with cleaning an abandoned mental hospital. While on the job, they discover a box that contains tapes of nine interview sessions with a patient named Mary Hobbes.
Hobbes has dissociative identity disorder, and she has three personalities besides her own. Of these, she only displays two of them — “the Princess,” who is childlike and innocent, and Billy, who is protective and childlike. Hobbes’ third personality, Simon, is so hidden that the Princess doesn’t know anything about her, and Billy is afraid of him.
Everything starts to unravel when one of the men goes missing, and the ninth session tape is cut short, so they don’t know what happened with Mary, the Princess, Billy, and Simon. Eventually, it’s revealed that there might not be a Mary, and that Simon actually lives inside one of the men tasked with cleaning the asylum, and some members of the cleaning crew aren’t even real — they’re projections of his imagination. He murders some of the real men, though, because of course this movie is terrifying.
Mulholland Drive (2001) Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring Directed by: David Lynch Written by: David Lynch
This one’s kind of tough to explain in a simple plot synopsis, especially since there’s been so much debate about whether or not the first half of the film is actually a dream sequence. This October 2001 Salon article provides a thorough analysis of not only the film’s plot, but also what the fuck it all means. Or at least what the writers think it means, because they’re still unable to explain things like the mysterious box.
Lynch originally wrote Mulholland Drive as a television pilot for ABC. Therefore, there might actually be some storylines in the film that leave questions left unanswered, since Lynch would have been able to get to them in the longer time that a TV series allots for storytelling.
In this January 2002 article from The Guardian, however, five top film critics couldn’t come to a consensus as to whether or not the film was divided into two halves, with one being a dream and one grounded in the reality of what actually happened when Diane (Watts) put a hit on her girlfriend Camilla (Harring). Diane’s actions drive her to commit suicide.
Still, the film might be intended as a larger commentary on how Hollywood places women in boxes, only allowing ingénues to look one way, while women become disposable and easily replaceable when they reach a certain age. That might just be the most important mindfuck Mulholland Drive gives to viewers.
Donnie Darko (2001) Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore Directed by: Richard Kelly Written by: Richard Kelly
A high school student named Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) is woken up by a monstrous rabbit who calls himself Frank. The rabbit leads Donnie outside and says the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. When Donnie returns home, he discovers that a jet engine crashed into his bedroom while he was out with Frank.
When Donnie describes Frank to his therapist (Katharine Ross), she tells his parents that he’s suffering from daylight hallucinations, which can be symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. Donnie confesses to flooding his school and burning down a motivational speaker’s (Patrick Swayze) house.
Finally, it’s the day Frank prophesied the world would end. A vortex forms above the Darko house while Donnie is driving in the nearby hills. He watches an airplane fall from the sky. The events from the last 28 days start to replay in reverse chronological order. When they reach day 1, Donnie is back in his bed, laughing maniacally as a jet engine crashes into his room. Donnie dies instantly.
When he dies, all of the people with whom Donnie Darko interacted during the last 28 days start to wake up with disturbed looks on their faces. Characters who met and interacted during the course of the movie revert to being strangers, although they feel as though they know each other. They just can’t remember where or when they might have met.
Vanilla Sky(2001) Starring: Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz Directed by: Cameron Crowe Written by: Cameron Crowe
Roger Ebert described Vanilla Sky perfectly in December 2001, “ Vanilla Sky, like the 2001 pictures Memento and Mulholland Drive before it, requires the audience to do some heavy lifting. It has one of those plots that doubles back on itself like an Escher staircase. You get along splendidly one step at a time, but when you get to the top floor you find yourself on the bottom landing. If it's any consolation, its hero is as baffled as we are; it's not that he has memory loss, like the hero of Memento, but that in a certain sense he may have no real memory at all.”
Vanilla Sky plays not only with linear structure, but with mixing dreams and reality, forcing viewers to question what’s real, what’s not, and whether or not reality is entirely subjective and surreal. It’s best to watch it rather than read a plot summary, really, but know that Tom Cruise jumps off a building at one point, and not in his usual badass Mission: Impossible type of way.
Oldboy (2003) Starring: Choi Min-sik, Kang Hye-jung Directed by: Park Chan-wook Written by: Hwang Jo-yoon, Im Joon-hyeong, Park Chan-wook
Business man Oh Dae-su (Min-sik) is arrested for drunken and disorderly behavior in 1988. He misses his daughter’s 4th birthday because he is in jail. While his friend who picks him up from the police station is talking to Dae-su’s wife, he is kidnapped.
Dae-su is imprisoned with no human contact for 15 years in a hotel-like prison. He’s sometimes gassed with a mind-altering drug. Dae-su shadowboxes to pass the time. He has no contact with his captors, nor does he ever learn the reason for his kidnapping.
Fifteen years later, Dae-su is released onto a rooftop. His captor gives him a suit and some money, but he also calls and taunts him. Dae-su then befriends a young chef named Mi-do (Hye-jung), who takes him to her apartment after he collapses at her sushi restaurant.
Dae-su wants to track down his daughter, but all he can find out is that she was adopted by a Swedish couple. He turns his attention to his captor’s identity. He finally learns that his name is Lee Woo-jin (Yoo Ji-tae). Woo-jin gives Dae-su an ultimatum: If Dae-su can figure out why Woo-jin kept him captive in the next five days, Woo-jin will kill himself. If Dae-su doesn’t succeed in finding out, Woo-jin will have Mi-do — with whom Dae-su has begun an emotional and sexual relationship — killed.
Dae-su remembers that he and Woo-jin went to the same high school, and that he saw an incestutous encounter between Woo-jin and his sister Soo-ah. Dae-su spread the rumor about their relationship around the school, not knowing they were related. Soo-ah committed suicide after the rumor made the rounds.
Dae-su admits to Woo-jin that he drove his sister to commit suicide. Woo-jin tells Dae-su that his revenge has been meticulous and carefully plotted. First, he captured Dae-su and kept him in prison for 15 years, periodically administering hypnotic drugs. Then, he planted the false evidence that Dae-su’s daughter had been kidnapped by a Swedish couple. In reality, Dae-su’s daughter is none other than Mi-do. Woo-jin drove Dae-su to commit incest with his own daughter, and he plans to tell Mi-do what has happened as well.
Dae-su begs Woo-jin to spare Mi-do from learning this information. Dae-su cuts out his tongue to show that he will never convey this information, or any other secrets, himself. Woo-jin says he will heed this request, leaves, and shoots himself.
Dae-su goes to a hypnotist to have the memories of committing incest with his daughter erased, but afterward, Mi-do finds him and tells him she loves him. He smiles when he hears this, but then his smile is replaced by a pained expression, as if he’s remembering what he went to the hypnotist to forget.
The Machinist (2004) Starring: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh Directed by: Brad Anderson Written by: Scott Kosar
A machinist named Trevor Reznik (Bale) is suffering from severe insomnia and has become extremely emaciated. Trevor is also troubled by mysterious Post-It notes that appear on his fridge, which have a game of Hangman on them. It starts to affect his work to the point where one of his coworkers (Michael Ironside) loses his arm in a machine accident. His coworkers blame Trevor for the accident, but he blames a mysterious new machinist named Ivan (John Sharian) that only Trevor seems to know about.
Trevor does have some brief moments of relief. He spends time with Stevie (Leigh), a prostitute, who enjoys his company. He meets a waitress named Maria (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón) at the airport diner he frequents and takes Maria and her son Nicholas (Matthew Romero) to a carnival. At the carnival, though, Nicholas has a seizure in a funhouse.
Trevor thinks all of these mysterious events are part of an elaborate plot to drive him insane. His life begins to fall apart even more: He explodes at a coworker and gets fired. He doesn’t pay his utility bill, and the electricity in his apartment is turned off. He thinks blood is seeping out of his freezer.
Trevor thinks that Ivan is the source of his problems, so he goes to the DMV to track him down using his license plate number. They refuse to give it to him, so he goes to the police, saying that he was a victim of a hit and run, and that Ivan was the perpetrator. When Trevor gives the police Ivan’s license plate number, they tell him that the car to which that plate matches is registered to Trevor, not the mysterious Ivan.
Eventually, Trevor pieces together the details of what happened. There is no Maria, nor is there a Nicholas. He was the one who hit a boy who looked identical to Nicholas a year ago — which his mother (who looked exactly like Maria) witnessed — and then drove away. At the time, Trevor looked much healthier. The guilt over the hit and run is what led him to his current emaciated, insomniac state. The mysterious Post-It notes have actually been coming from him (he’s been dissociating), and the hangman game spells out “KILLER.”
The movie ends with Trevor going to the police to confess his crime. They lead him to a cell, and he falls asleep for the first time since the accident.
Primer (2004) Starring: Shane Carruth, David Sullivan, Casey Gooden Directed by: Shane Carruth Written by: Shane Carruth
Primer is considered one of the most confusing movies of all time. People have even mapped out the various timelines in an attempt to explain the plot. Writer/director/star Shane Carruth has a degree in mathematics and is a former engineer, so the film delves into complex temporal anomalies.
Two engineers named Aaron (Carruth) and Abe (Sullivan) create a person-sized box in which a human can travel through time. They try to carefully map out rules for their time traveling to avoid meeting their past or future selves and messing up the past, present, or future.
Abe and Aaron’s different personalities lead to confrontations over how they should use the box and the way in which their collaboration in the experiment should play out. They try to use their time traveling ability to make profitable stock trades, but their future selves keep appearing in their present timelines, causing increasingly escalating problems in their lives. They also cause trouble in other people’s lives; for example, Abe’s girlfriend Rachel (Samantha Thomson) almost gets shot.
During an epilogue, it’s revealed that multiple versions of Aaron still exist, and at least one future version is colluding with the original one. Abe, on the other hand, wants to keep his present self in the dark about what Future Abe knows. In the final scene, Aaron is directing the construction of a warehouse-sized box.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind(2004) Starring: Kate Winslet, Jim Carrey Directed by: Michel Gondry Written by: Charlie Kaufman
Joel (Carrey) and Clementine (Winslet) meet on a train from Montauk to Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York. What they don’t know is that they’ve met before. They were even in a relationship before, but Clementine hired a firm called Lacuna, Inc., to erase her memories of their relationship after a fight, and when Joel heard about this, he decided to do the same.
Joel doesn’t want Clementine to be erased from his memory, though, and he struggles to preserve the moments they had together by hiding them deep in his subconscious. The last thing he can remember her saying is to meet him in Montauk.
After they meet again on the train, they discover their Lacuna records. Even though they know they dated, broke up, and had their relationship erased from their minds before, they decide to give it another chance.
Atonement (2007) Starring: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan Directed by: Joe Wright Written by: Christopher Hampton
This adaptation of Iwan McEwan’s novel of the same name earns a spot on the mindfuck movies list simply because of how it completely rips the rug out from under you at the end. There you are, thinking Briony (played by Ronan at 13, Romola Garai at 18, and Redgrave as an older woman) is writing this story to atone for her huge lie, and there's going to be a romantic, happy ending. That lie being how she falsely accused Robbie Turner (McAvoy) of raping Briony’s visiting cousin Lola (Juno Temple), which completely ruined not only his life, but that of her sister Cecilia (Knightley).
The incident tears Briony and Cecilia’s family apart, because Cecilia stands by Robbie; knowing he’s been falsely accused. Years later, Briony describes visiting Robbie and Cecilia, who are now married, to apologize. Cecilia says she can never forgive her, while Robbie demands Briony tell both her family and the authorities what really happened. Even if Briony were to tell the authorities; however, nothing could be done, because Lola actually married her rapist (Benedict Cumberbatch).
Decades pass, and Briony is now an author. Her final novel (she is dying of vascular dementia) is called Atonement. She gives an interview about the book in which she reveals that it’s only semi-autobiographical. While most of the beginning is true to life, the part where she visits Cecilia and Robbie is fabricated. Briony was never able to visit them to ask for forgiveness because they never met again after Robbie left to fight in World War II. He died at Dunkirk, and Cecilia died shortly after during The Blitz. Oh cruel, cruel fate.
Triangle (2009) Starring: Melissa George, Michael Dorman Directed by: Christopher Smith Written by: Christopher Smith
Jess (Melissa George) goes on a boat trip with a group of friends. The boat capsizes in a storm, and the group survives by climbing on the upturned vessel. They spot an ocean liner and board it, only to find it deserted. Jess experiences a flash of déjà vu once on board the ship, and she also gets the feeling that there’s someone else there.
One by one, the members of the group begin to die. Some of them are shot by a mysterious masked shooter, who then chases Jess, but she’s able to push the shooter overboard.
After everyone in her group dies, and Jess is left alone, she hears yelling. She sees herself and the others alive again. They’re standing on the capsized boat in the same position they were in before they boarded the ocean liner. Jess realizes that she’s stuck in a time loop, and she’s actually the figure on the ship who killed her friends.
Inception (2010) Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt Directed by: Christopher Nolan Written by: Christopher Nolan
Dominick Cobb (DiCaprio) and his team enter the dreams of executives to steal corporate secrets. In the big heist depicted in the movie, the team has a new type of challenge: plant an idea into a CEO’s (Cillian Murphy) subconscious, which the businessman (Ken Watanabe) tasking them with the job calls inception.
Cobb is also struggling with guilt over the death of his wife Mal (Marion Cotillard), who committed suicide after the two spent 50 years in a shared dreamscape and couldn’t distinguish between dreams and reality when they woke up. Cobb’s guilt causes problems with his team’s current mission, because he keeps projecting Mal into dreamscapes.
As the team travels into deeper and deeper levels of the dream labyrinth architected by Ariadne (Page), there’s more room for error, which obviously occurs. After Inception came out, people spent hours trying to map out the various levels of the dream landscapes into which the team traveled. Finally, Christopher Nolan released his hand-drawn version of the map to help viewers understand.
Audiences were also confused by the film’s ending. The movie’s last shot is of Cobb’s totem — an object the dream-invaders use to determine if they’re still in a dream or back in reality — a spinning top. If the top keeps spinning, he’s probably stuck in someone else’s dream. If it stops, he’s back in reality. Inception ends before we can see what happens to the top. Does it keep spinning, or does it fall?
Nolan finally explained the ambiguous ending during the commencement speech he delivered to Princeton’s class of 2015. He said it didn’t matter if Cobb was awake or dreaming, because he’d been reunited with his children, which is all he really wanted. “He was in his own subjective reality. He didn’t really care any more, and that makes a statement: perhaps, all levels of reality are valid,” Nolan said.
Black Swan(2010) Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Vincent Cassel Directed by: Darren Aronofsky Written by: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin
Nina Sayers (Portman) has spent her entire life striving to be a perfect ballerina. It’s an obsession fueled by her stage mother (Hershey). When Sayers is cast as the White Swan in her company’s upcoming production of Swan Lake opposite a more easygoing newcomer (Mila Kunis) as the Black Swan, she begins to have a complete mental, emotional, and physical breakdown.
Monsieur Oscar (Lavant) appears to be a regular businessman until he enters a limo in the morning after having breakfast with his wife and children. Once in the car, he receives a dossier from his driver, Madame Céline (Scob), and takes off his banker disguise. He puts on a different costume; now, Oscar is an elderly beggar who walks the streets of Paris, asking for money.
Oscar is actually an actor, but his roles exist in the real world. Throughout the day, he returns to the limousine for more assignments from Céline. These take him everywhere from a motion-capture studio to a high-fashion photoshoot with a top model (played by Eva Mendes).
Even when Oscar gets physically injured while in character, he’s unscathed when he returns to the limo. At times, he interacts with characters that look identical to ones he played earlier in the day. Towards the end of the day, he meets a woman named Léa (L'Homea), who calls him “uncle.” Oscar pretends to die, and Léa cries.
At this next appointment, Céline pulls the car up next to an identical limo. Inside is a woman named Eva (Kylie Minogue), with whom it’s implied Oscar actually has a child. However, Eva appears to be an actress like Oscar, and she tells him that she has an appointment. She’ll be stepping into the role of a flight attendant who spends her final night in an empty building with a man. Oscar leaves the building so that Eva can meet up with the man, but he then sees the two jump to their deaths. Oscar cries as he runs past their bodies and gets in the limo.
At his last appointment, Céline hands Oscar a dossier saying that he’ll be going to “your house” to meet up with “your wife” and “your daughter.” When he goes inside; however, his wife and child are actually chimpanzees.
Now that the day is over, Céline takes the limo to the Holy Motors garage, which is filled with many limousines of the same make and model. She leaves for the night after covering her face with a mask. After Céline is gone, the cars start talking to each other, worrying about becoming obsolete.
Upstream Color (2013) Starring: Shane Carruth, Amy Seimetz, Thiago Martins Directed by: Shane Carruth Written by: Shane Carruth
Yup, it’s another Shane Carruth mindfuck masterpiece. In this one, a man called the Thief (Martins) kidnaps Kris (Seimetz) at a nightclub and drugs her. He keeps her in a hypnotic state of distraction, using techniques like getting her to transcribe Henry David Thoreau’s Walden on a paper chain. The Thief starves Kris so that he can infect her with a type of live larva that he harvests from blue orchids. He also manipulates her into liquidating her home equity and giving him the money.
When the Thief drops Kris off at her home, she wakes up ravenous with roundworms crawling under her skin, which she tries to remove with a kitchen knife. She fails at this.
A man called the Sampler (Andrew Sensenig) lures Kris to his farm so he can transfer the roundworms from her body a young pig’s. Again, Kris wakes up with no memory of what has happened to her. When she gets home, she sees the blood on her sheets from when she tried to remove the worms. Scared, she calls the police, but she hangs up because she’s not sure what she would tell them happened. Kris tries to return to work, but she gets fired after her unexcused absence. She tries to buy food at the grocery store, but the Thief has stolen all of her money.
One year later, Kris encounters a man named Jeff (Carruth) on a train, and the two have an almost telepathic connection. When they spend the night together, they realize they have identical scars — they were both infected by the larva and then had the roundworms removed, but they also have no memory of this happening. Like Kris, Jeff also had his personal funds stolen by the Thief. He then lost his job after trying to embezzle money from his brokerage firm to cover his tracks.
Kris and Jeff also have a telepathic connection with the pigs that received their worm transfusions, although they don’t know this. That’s another part of the worm-pig-orchid cycle, as Shane Carruth calls it. The Sampler is able to check in on people who are telepathically connected with the pig’s lives, and he writes songs about them. He sells these songs through a company called the Quinoa Valley Rec. Co.
When one of the pigs gets pregnant, Kris thinks she's pregnant. The doctor tells her she isn’t; she actually had endometrial cancer, which was removed, and is now infertile. When the pig gives birth, the Sampler throws her piglets into a sack, which he tosses into the river.
This sends Kris and Jeff into a deep depression. They turn against everyone else in their lives and hunker down in Kris’ house, expecting the worst. While this is happening, we see the sack with the piglet’s corpses, from which a blue substance — the same blue as the orchids the Thief extracted the larva from in the beginning — is traveling upstream into the surrounding waters. Orchids are growing out of the water, and farmers are collecting the blue flowers to sell.
Kris, Jeff, and the Sampler slowly start to remember the things that have happened to them. Kris starts mumbling Walden. In a dream, the three of them sit down together and discuss being aware of each other before the Sampler has a heart attack. Back in reality, Kris and Jeff are on the pig farm. She shoots the Sampler, and he dies.
Kris and Jeff find records of everyone who has been drugged the way they were and get them to come to the farm by sending them copies of Walden. They remodel the farm and start providing a better life for the pigs. No more pigs are drowned, so the Thief has no more blue orchids from which to get larva and start the worm-pig-orchid cycle again.
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When you listen to the new CHVRCHES single, can you hear the pop undertones riding their synths? They brought in producer Greg Kurstin (Adele, Sia, Kelly Clarkson) in to give them...apparently a very radio friendly single. It is remarkable, in their oeuvre, because it's their most accessible song to date (and possibly their brightest). It also lays down a gauntlet. Now, they have to walk the line between having a signature sound and being something digestible to the mass market. It makes me want to hear more, so I can get a sense of where the line between commerce and authenticity ends for this trio.
Middle Kids "Mistake"
Middle Kids are another trio worth knowing, if you missed their debut EP last year. Their singer, Hannah Joy, is my #WCW. They're from Sydney, Australia, and they like the distortion effect pedal on their guitar parts, but like seriously. This song comes at you like a missile; it's good old-fashioned (very pre-Nirvana '90s inspired) rock. It doesn't go anywhere, and it probably doesn't mean anything, it's just good.
Let's Eat Grandma "Hot Pink"
Pro-tip: any teenage girls who sing "kill me now" and "I'm such a drama queen" are fucking with you. This British duo might be the most meta songwriters I've come across in a minute. If you think pink is just for girls or that men singing songs about girls who are "only 17 (and you know what I mean)" is fine, they wrote this one for you. Disgust with the status quo never felt so right for the dance floor.
Anna von Hausswolff "The Mysterious Vanishing of Electra"
We've all been hearing the term "witch hunt" get thrown around by morons lately. I rather suspect the men saying it don't have a proper appreciation for witches. This track, from Anna von Hausswolff's forthcoming album Dead Magic, has vocals so powerful, soaring, and raw that they'll make you think twice about the strength a woman has. Y'all aren't ready to hear from a woman scorned. The tribal drums that push the song forward are the secret sauce here. Some people might get fooled and think it's the psychedelic guitars, but no: the drums and the extensive use of toms are what propel the otherworldly chanting here forward. This has now become the official soundtrack of my witch hunt, so don't look behind you if you hear this song blaring.
Lord Huron "Ancient Names ( Part I)”
Yes, you do know this band from 13 Reasons Why; their gorgeous track "The Night We Met" soundtracked the school dance scene, prompting Hannah and Clay to concur that Tony has the best taste in music. Yes, I did listen to it for exactly that reason, and I'm happy to report: their songs are still haunting, gorgeous, and ethereal. No, this will not hurry along season 2 of 13 Reasons, but it might tide you over.
After my first job at MTV working as a music programmer, I can't stop trying to matchmake people with music they might like. So, I wrote a book calledRecord Collecting for Girlsand started interviewing musicians. The Music Concierge is a column where I share music I'm listening to that you might enjoy, with a little context. Follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or leave me a comment below and tell me what you're listening to this week.
If you thought your week was bad, then you haven't heard Erika Augthun Shoolbred's beauty horror story yet. Shoolbred bought a blowdryer from the hair brand OraCorp on Amazon, purchasing the hot tool for less than $30. She must've thought it was a deal too good to be true... and she was right. Because as it turns out, Shoolbred hadn't purchased a blowdryer, but instead a flamethrower posing as one.
After receiving the hot tool, Shoolbred switched it on, only to watch it burst into flames. Naturally, she took to Facebook to share her nightmarish experience.
"Talk about a bad hair day! My new hair dryer (more like hair frier) from OraCorp on Amazon.com became a blow torch on its first use this morning," she wrote in the caption alongside a video of the fiery situation. "A small burn on my hand and an enormous smell to my master bath — the company has yet to respond to my complaint or videos."
Quickly, her comments section flooded with responses. Shoolbred later updated her concerned friends with this: "Both Amazon and OraCorp. Amazon credited my account and gave me the contact info for the company but I have yet to hear from them. The drier was marketed as salon grade - the product has now been removed from Amazon's site. It is made in China - and was represented much like a JINRI drier. The box however says Paradise Twinklers. No paradise found here. I'm just glad it wasn't more horrific!"
Thankfully, Amazon has since removed the "salon-grade" dryer from its site, but unfortunately, some of Shoolbred's stealthy friends discovered that this isn't the first time something like has happened to an OraCorp customer. Despite the seemingly positive reviews for the brand's hot tools on Amazon, another customer left a comment similar to Shoolbred's incident.
"I had it less thank [ sic] a month, and while using it, it caught fire," customer Lauren wrote in her one-star review. "Very disappointed, something severe could have happened to me or my mom while using it.” This was back in September of last year.
Luckily, Shoolbred wasn't seriously harmed, but hopefully this is a lesson to everyone that if a blowdryer arrives in box sketchier than the one that delivered your fake ID in college, maybe refrain from plugging it in.
Amazon has declined to comment to Refinery29 since removing the product from its site. We've reached out to Schoolbred and OraCorp and will update this post with their comments.
Mirrors get a bad rap. Namely, they’re quick to blame for inciting self-criticism and the occasional blackhead witch hunt. Fair. But they’re also a channel for positive self-reflection, feeling fierce, and ultimately developing a lifelong relationship with ourselves. From rehearsing for work meetings to dishing out pre-date pep talks to dreaming up purple-lipstick-wearing alter egos, the mirror makes our moi -to- moi dialogue possible. Furthermore, it lets us communicate with a single glance that we are powerful and look damn good.
This is what we call the mirror face — and if you’ve ever caught your reflection in a shiny object and liked what you saw (we’re betting yes), you have one, too. It may seem like a small thing, but that quick look can have a big impact — instantly projecting confidence and an I got this attitude to yourself and into the world. So to celebrate the power of this expression, we partnered with NARS to reveal the meaning and history behind five R29ers’ mirror faces. Then we captured their honest reactions to their own reflections when wearing the brand's new Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation — a long-lasting, lightweight formula that comes in 33 shades and leaves a natural glow — exploring how makeup can be a medium for expressing your truest self. Check out their faces and feelings below, and don’t forget to own yours the next time you walk by a store window.
Nicole is wearing NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Caracas.
Nicole, 32, AP Manager
When you look in the mirror, who do you see staring back at you? "I see someone who is sometimes unsure of herself but somehow fearless at the same time. Someone who is bold but also holds back. Someone with a lot of potential to take on the world, to teach, and to inspire others."
How would you describe your mirror face? "My mirror face is all about looking fierce! It's a straight-on stare with a slight pout — almost sensual. It says that I am a force to be reckoned with and that I am ready for whatever challenges the world throws my way."
On set, we saw your stare turn into a megawatt smile. Where did that come from? "I felt amazing and powerful. I have never seen myself in such a light, where my makeup — especially the NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation — was so subtle yet still totally enhanced my features. I've always viewed makeup as my way to really glam myself up, but this look made me feel that I am enough and that what I have to offer is enough. It was one of the most incredible feelings in the world."
How much does makeup play a role in how confident you feel? "Oddly enough, I started wearing makeup every single day when I was 22 because people always confused me for a teenager. I wanted to be taken seriously and look more mature. Eventually that developed into wanting a certain look and maintaining a certain appearance. For a long while, I would want to do the whole shebang — blush, mascara, lipstick, you name it. I still love wearing makeup, but I've finally developed a level of confidence to allow myself not to wear it at times."
What's your go-to beauty product? "I love foundation. When executed properly, you can create the illusion that you aren’t wearing any makeup at all. It's my secret to feeling incredibly confident in a room full of people."
Allie is wearing NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Santa Fe.
Allie F., 27, Luxury Sales Director
What's the first thing you do when you look in the mirror each morning? "I get a temperature check on how I'm feeling on the inside. If my eyes are puffy, I'm usually exhausted or sad or dehydrated (or I stayed up too late watching nature documentaries). If I'm smiling and my tooth brushing has that extra vigor, I know it's going to be a killer day."
What kind of face do you make? "I'm always smiling. I wore headgear growing up (late bloomer) and was pre-dental in college — so I'm obsessed with teeth. I give myself the biggest toothy smile right before heading out the door."
What does this say about the kind of person you are? "It took me a bit, but I feel so confident and comfortable with who I am. I love to be happy, to have fun, and to project positive energy and kindness out into the world. Giving myself a big smile ensures not only that I'm ready to go put good vibes out into the universe but also that I'm bringing them right back to home base."
What is typically going through your head? Do you give yourself a pep talk? "I talk to myself. It's something I've always done. I run through everything I need to do that day out loud — as I stare directly at myself."
What about makeup? Tell us about your routine. "I feel so insecure with alot of makeup on because my skin just never looks fresh. A dab of concealer or light foundation, brow gel, and a swipe of mascara is all I need for most days. If I want a bit of drama or am heading out at night, I love to play up my eyes. They're this really unique greenish-gold color, and with a smudge of liner they pop."
How did you feel in the makeup on set? "I always thought that liquid foundation wasn't for me, but it was so light. I really couldn't believe how smoothly it went on and how perfectly it matched my skin tone. I had glowy, dewy, Insta-worthy skin without the pretty filter. My makeup look on set was all about amplifying the features I already love and celebrating my natural beauty, versus making me look like someone I'm not."
Crystal is wearing NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Macao.
Crystal, 35, Experiential Producer
When you look in the mirror, who do you see looking back at you? "I see a magical Black woman."
Tell us about your mirror face. "My go-to mirror face is face to the side, eyes at the mirror. I'm a total goofball, and that face never fails to make me laugh every time I do it — while also making me feel beautiful and powerful."
When do you feel your best, most confident self? "I'm most confident when I'm surrounded by the people I love, in a really kick-ass outfit, with my brows on point."
Is there a particular makeup look that feels most authentic to you? "I've never been a 'ChapStick and go' girl, in terms of my makeup, but I am super low-maintenance. With the right foundation, I feel like my best me. I'm biracial, so it's always difficult to find the right shade — I was so excited to find a NARS foundation on set that was a perfect match."
What's your relationship like with your skin? "I haven't always loved my skin. My mom is much darker than me, and I always thought her skin was so incredibly regal and beautiful. I wanted to feel that way about my skin but didn't. My mom was so integral in teaching me to love the beauties of my skin, and it really changed my relationship with it as I became an adult. Today, I adore it. I'm at the OMG! You're 35?! age, and I couldn't be happier. My skin has been good to me, so I'm good to it back."
Allie is wearing NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Syracuse.
Allie R., 23, Account Coordinator
Walk us through your morning routine. "I would love to say I give myself a pep talk every morning, but every day is different. If I only have a minute, I give myself a quick smize in the mirror and do my hair, but if I have more time to spare, I'll look in the mirror and think about my day to come — looking at it as another opportunity, another page in my book for something to happen. I remind myself to be as ready as I can be for anything the day may throw at me."
When you have that moment with yourself, what does your facial expression typically look like? "It varies. The majority of the time my mirror face looks like I have gone soul searching; it is definitely a more serious look — a sort of confirmation of my mood and feel. Then there are moments when I am in a particularly snazzy outfit and on my way out for a fun night. In this situation, I add in a smile and throw myself a kiss."
What do you think this sometimes serious, sometimes sassy mirror face say about you? "The face I make in the mirror is dependent on my mood — some days I'm more reflective, while other days I feel more playful. My serious face says I am confident, capable, and ready for any challenge, while my sassy face says I don't take life too seriously. It is a moment of self-reflection — the only time you see you. I tend to look at myself from the inside out when I look in the mirror, rather than just the exterior."
How has your perception of yourself changed over the years? "I've definitely grown more confident, as most of us do with time. I would say I am better at pepping myself up now, rather than searching for faults in the mirror — like I used to when I was in my teens."
What do you think influences your confidence level most? "Taking the time for self-care. I always feel the most confident in my own skin when I wake up feeling good all over. Then, of course, a tad of makeup, a brush of the mane, and a feel-good outfit can make me feel like I can do anything."
Rockie is wearing NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Salzburg.
Rockie, 27, Photo Editor
How has your relationship with the mirror evolved with age? "Growing up, I spent a lot more time looking in the mirror than I do now. I was teased a lot for my appearance when I was young. I had glasses and would take them off and try to imagine what I'd look like without them. Now that I'm older, I'm more comfortable in my own skin, so I don't really fret over it too much anymore."
Tell us about your mirror face. "My mirror face is the same face I usually make in photos, exaggerating all my features by raising my eyebrows and parting my lips a bit. I don't typically pose in front of the mirror. For me, it's more about inspecting my makeup up close and from different angles to see how everything looks."
How does this expression reflect who you are as a person? "I am a fairly quiet person in general, and I think my mirror face reflects that. I am not really high-energy when out and about, so when I'm looking in the mirror it's not really a performative act but more so an inspection of what I've done and making sure I feel confident in what I've put on."
How did you feel about your beauty look on set? "I felt confident and glowing on set — which seemed like a miracle as I was sick on the shoot day. The foundation moisturized my extra-dry skin and evened out my complexion without being heavy. I was surprised by how healthy and natural I looked when I saw myself."
What's the one facial feature you love most? "My cheekbones! They are the feature that I feel stands out with or without makeup, but I do love what a swipe of blush does to liven up my whole face. I also love my freckles. I had a lot more of them when I was young. Now they come out more on my cheeks in the summer, but I wish they were year-round."
Has your career as a photographer and photo editor had an impact on the lens through which you see yourself? "I started my career in photography by taking a lot of self-portraits. Self-portraits gave me an easy subject that was always available and made it so that I could try things out without worrying about who would let me shoot them. Being in front of the camera definitely helped my self-confidence, plus it helped me direct others. I really love seeing other women post self-portraits; I love seeing their confidence."
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Parlez-vous français? I definitely don't. But I am fluent in the world of French beauty; in fact, you might even say it's my native tongue. My very first memories involving skin care are vivid ones, only-slightly-fuzzy recollections of watching my mother work aromatic oils from French brands like Darphin and Decléor into her skin before bed every night. I, too, wanted to apply those luxurious elixirs, to inhale those heady, grown-up scents of orange blossom and jasmine. The answer was always no. And why? "Because," she would say, without looking away from the gold-trimmed vanity mirror. "It's very expensive. It's French."
I didn't get it then, but I do now. I hide my Christophe Robin from my boyfriend because "that shampoo is $40, don't use too much" means nothing to him. But in the case of the moisturizer I've been hooked on for the past few months, I can afford to be generous. Ripped straight from the pages of French-pharmacy lore, Bioderma's Sensibio Light moisturizer is both very chic and surprisingly budget-friendly, a soft, silky cream in a travel-friendly tube that's the perfect synthesis of clinical and luxe. It smells like nothing and feels like contentment, and it's under $20 and I love it.
Would I still find this reliable, straightforward skin-soother as attractive if it was manufactured in Springfield, Illinois, instead of at Laboratoire Dermatologique in Aix-en-Provence? Probably not, no. But as it stands, it's the only moisturizer I've ever used that gives me the perfect amount of hydration without feeling oily or heavy, undoes some of the damage of my ill-advised overexfoliation habit, and works just as well under makeup as it does slathered on with abandon for maximum moisture at night. The fact that pulling it out of my bag might make someone assume I've just returned from a quick voyage to the City of Lights is just a bonus. I've never even been to France.
Bioderma Sensibio Light Soothing Cream, $19.90, available at Ricky's NYC.
McGowan claims that the person she fought with was "an actor paid to verbally assault a woman who has been terrorized by your system. And no one in that room did anything." Earlier this year, The New Yorker reported that McGowan, who accused Harvey Weinstein of rape, was being tracked by private investigators hired by the producer. (Weinstein has denied any accusations of nonconsensual sex.)
McGowan, who aimed her tweets at Barnes and Noble, where this appearance was held, accused those in attendance — "everyone from my publicists, assistants, managers and every person sitting in their chairs frozen by their weakness" — of complicity. "The truth is you all failed me," she wrote. "Again. And again. And again."
“I have a suggestion," activist Andi Dier, the founder of Transgender Advocates for Revolution, said. "Talk about what you said on RuPaul. Trans women are dying and you said that we, as trans women, are not like regular women. We get raped more often. We go through domestic violence more often. There was a trans woman killed here a few blocks [away]. I have been followed home...”
And everyone from my publicists, t assistants, managers and every person sitting in their chairs frozen by their weakness, a weakness called COMPLICITY. The truth is you all failed me. Again. And again. And again.
Before Dier finished her statement, McGowan interrupted to say, "Hold on. So am I. We are the same. My point was, we are the same. There’s an entire show called ID channel, a network, dedicated to women getting abused, murdered, sexualized, violated, and you’re a part of that, too, sister. It’s the same."
The back-and-forth than got more heated with Dier asking what McGowan has done for trans women. "What have you done for women?” McGowan responded. That led to a shouting match that ended with Dier being escorted out of the bookstore shouting "white cis feminism," according to The Huffington Post.
"Shut up, you're so boring," McGowan said, before saying “Don’t label me, sister. Don’t put your labels on me. Don’t you fucking do that. Do not put your labels on me. I don’t come from your planet. Leave me alone." She then added, "What I do for the fucking world and you should be fucking grateful. Shut the fuck up. Get off my back. What have you done? I know what I’ve done, God dammit.”
McGowan then told the crowd that they could label this moment a "breakdown," but for her it was about telling the truth. "Just tell the God damned truth," she said. "Stop boxing everybody into shit. I didn’t agree to your cis fucking world. Ok? Fuck off.”
Being able to invalidate the struggle of transwomen by telling them "shut up" - "I don't come from your planet" - "you should be grateful" while getting applauded/validated for it by an audience is the pinnacle of ciswhite feminism. pic.twitter.com/Gtz6o2x2BG
That thought led her back to the question about her comments on RuPaul's podcast, in which she attempted to explain herself.
"Trans women are women and what I’ve been trying to say is that it’s the same. The stats are not that dissimilar. When you break it down, it is a much smaller population. There’s not a network here devoted to your fucking death," she said, "There’s not advertisers advertising tampons with a camera lovingly going up a girl’s body as she’s being lovingly raped and strangled. Piss off. And until you can collect that fucking check, back up. My name is Rose McGowan and I am obviously fucking brave.”
In an interview with Them, Dier wondered if that bravery was at the cost of other women. "Cis people keep pretending trans women are a third gender or something. To be frank — that's getting us killed," Dier said. "Trans issues are women’s issues. If we're not fighting for trans women, we are not fighting for women."
Before canceling her tour, McGowan was also criticized for her appearance on the Late Show With Stephen Colbert, which Variety called "bizarre." She defended herself, tweeting, “I just have a different personality than you. I don’t follow protocol. And I will talk about WHAT I WANT."
2) I am bored of formats and questions. I am done with traditional structure. If you’re not with the fake tradition of traditional promotional “appearances” then by all means, stay in your square, but DO NOT APPLY TO ME . @TheAVClub
We humans like to pretend we've evolved past our primordial caveman nature, but at the end of the day, we're just animals with skin-care routines and iPhone Xs. We may not walk around the bar literally sniffing potential partners' butts, but we're still picking up those pheromones that tell our brains "hump this one!" or "bark at that one!"
And on nights when we're feeling especially carnal, we like to spray ourselves in scents that will make our bodies even more irresistible. And those scents, by and large, feature at least one of two things: vanilla and musk. Vanilla, because it's a treat that lights up the reward part of our brain. Musk, because it's balls. The subconscious is a beautiful — and quite simple — thing.
Ahead, the fragrances our editors wear when they want to turn the heat all the way... oh, forget it, they're what we reach for when we want to get laid.
"I don't have any idea how I snagged this bottle from the beauty closet at my first job, but I may never let it go. Back then, I took what I could get — and this rich, intoxicating scent instantly became one of my favorite products. Six years later, it's still my favorite (and I have a lot of expensive perfume), because it truly makes you feel transformed: sexy, mysterious, definitely off the clock (it's far too heavy for day), and ready for... well, you know." — Lexy Lebsack, West Coast senior beauty editor
Tom Ford Shanghai Lily, $230, available at Nordstrom.
"I'd like to live my life thinking that my natural scent is tantalizing enough to get me laid, but that’s easier to believe when I’m already in a relationship. When I’m not, I’ve discovered that Amo by Ferragamo plus a stiff Manhattan = the perfect equation for a night of sex. Both are sweet, have hits of vanilla (an acclaimed aphrodisiac), and leave me with the urge to do it all over again, despite the hangover." — Kelsey Castañon, beauty news editor
Salvatore Ferragamo Amo, $95, available at Bloomingdales.
“Legend has it that the original recipe for this fragrance was discovered in a vat labeled ‘Love Oil’ in the 1950s. A vat! Isn’t that wild? To be clear, I have no idea if that is true, and while I’m sure I could find out, I also have no real interest in ruining the illusion. I’m crazy about musk, both the way it smells (like balls, I guess?) and its rumored seductive powers (it’s the pheromones), and in my opinion, this is the very best. It’s sexy as hell, and I wear it every day... which, now that I think of it, is about how often I’m trying to get laid.” — Rachel Krause, beauty writer
Kiehl's Musk Essence Oil, $35, available at Kiehl's.
"I like to wear a new fragrance whenever I go on a big trip so it brings back memories of that time; this was the one I wore to Paris with my boyfriend this summer. The warm scent brings back memories of stumbling through the Marais in a silk dress, sipping cocktails and expensive French wine, and making out in the street behind the bar. When I want to channel the sexy, French, carefree girl deep deep down under the layers of coats and long underwear and wool socks and deadlines, I spritz this on. And maybe light a cigarette." — Cat Quinn, beauty director
"There are day scents, there are night scents, and then there's this scent. It's reserved for, I don't want to say desperate times, but... times that call for certain measures. It's addictive — kind of like a bouquet with an electric current running through it — and slightly tacky (that vanilla note, baby). But that's a good thing! I firmly believe that a true get-you-laid scent should have a touch of strip club." — Alix Tunell, senior beauty editor
YSL Black Opium Floral Shock, $115, available at YSL Beauty.
"A few summers ago, I reconnected with an ex that I hadn't seen for months and was determined to show him what he'd been missing. After zipping up my favorite red dress, I spritzed Alaïa's signature fragrance from head to toe — not only because of its yummy musk and peony blend, but because the scent lasts forever and I figured it'd be a long evening. As soon as we embraced, he complimented my perfume... and never let go that night. Ultimately, we didn't work out, but I did leave the relationship with a surefire first date scent to reel my next love in." — Khalea Underwood, beauty writer
"Lately, I can’t get enough of rose and all of its iterations. I wear a light, fresh rose scent during the day and go for this one at night. Something about it is intoxicating — the perfect balance between floral and musk. I don’t know if my boyfriend even cares if I wear it (he’s a little dense when it comes to fragrance), but every time I do, I can’t stop smelling myself. Plus, Margot Robbie is the face of it — and I'll have whatever she's having." — Mi-Anne Chan, beauty writer
Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria, $94, available at Ulta.
"The minute I got a whiff of this fragrance, I knew I needed it (and not just because it's so obviously the Mary-Kate compared to the White version). It's spicy and woody, the kind of scent I imagine Sophia Loren would wear. I always used to fantasize about wearing a perfume that would make everyone I hug say, 'You smell soo good,' and now that dream has come true." — Sam Sasso, beauty assistant
Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black, $85, available at Sephora.
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The Duchess of Cambridge has always been stylish, but her latest fashion project is also eco-friendly. With Kate Middleton's new fashion exchange, she's urging everyone in the UK and beyond to come together in the name of sustainability.
The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange with unite all 52 Commonwealth countries — the UK and its former British colonies — in the name of fashion. Specifically, they will come together to create "a one-of-a-kind sustainable outfit," according to People, that will be unveiled during London Fashion Week on February 19 at Buckingham Palace. Yes, Middleton will be there to judge these environmentally-sound lewks.
The initiative — which also has the support of Sophie, the Countess of Wessex — was created by Livia Firth, founder and creative director of Eco-Age consultancy (and spouse of the actor Colin), as a way of getting a younger generation to think about the societal implications of fashion.
“Fashion is a huge weapon, because we are all connected to the clothes we wear,” Firth told Vogue UK, calling out the industry's focus on fast fashion, which produces "high volumes of cheap clothes through an overwhelmingly female, low-wage workforce.”
“By utilizing the commonwealth…and through the potential of the artisan fashion trade (which will be highlighted in the exhibition)," Firth added, "we can have a positive impact on female empowerment and poverty reduction."
Thirty-one designers will showcase their work, including New Zealand's Karen Walker, Bangladesh's Bibi Russell, and Stella McCartney and Burberry, representing the United Kingdom, along with 26 artisans including Euphemia Sydney Davies from Sierra Leone, whose line Sydney-Davies has her collaborating with a master weaver from Ghana.
The point of the project isn't only sustainability, though it "has collaboration and partnership at its heart," according to Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, which will hold the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in April. The hope is that it will make the upcoming summit's "themes of prosperity, sustainability and fairness very real and tangible."
For those who don't get an invite to Buckingham Palace, the outfits will be on public display at London’s Australia House on February 21 and other London cities before the designs make their way to New York this fall for Fashion Week.
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She says she knew Weinstein well before the alleged assault. He was the executive producer of the Kill Bill trilogy, the films for which Thurman is best known, and the co-executive producer for Pulp Fiction. Both films were directed by Tarantino.
Thurman says that Weinstein groomed her prior to the alleged attack. He "complimented" and "validated her," as she struck up a friendship with his then-wife Eve Chilton.
At a meeting at Weinstein's hotel room in Paris, Thurman alleges that he came out in a bathrobe and led her into a steam room. She recalled that she was wearing a leather outfit. When she said "this is ridiculous," he became embarrassed and fled the room.
Later, in London, Thurman says that Weinstein sexually assaulted her. "He pushed me down. He tried to shove himself on me. He tried to expose himself. He did all kinds of unpleasant things," she said. Weinstein denied the allegations in a statement.
Harvey Weinstein releases a statement saying Uma Thurman's "claims about being physically assaulted are untrue ... the pictures of their history tell a completely different story." pic.twitter.com/sT3NUaTcMI
That wasn't the only moment that her autonomy was violated. On the set of Kill Bill in Mexico, Tarantino asked her to speed-drive a car that had been altered from a stick shift to an automatic transmission. Thurman told producers that she was not willing to do the stunt because she felt the car was unsafe (the producers told the Times that they do not recall Thurman's protestations).
Tarantino demanded that she drive the car for the shot, and after taking a rickety turn, the car hit a tree. "I felt this searing pain and thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m never going to walk again," she said...Quentin and I had an enormous fight, and I accused him of trying to kill me."
She suffered a concussion and needed to wear a neck brace, and that today she deals with permanent physical damage from the accident, including neck and knee pain. Thurman then fought with Miramax and Tarantino to obtain the footage of the car accident. The video was posted at the Times, and readers should be aware that it is graphic. Thurman says that she felt dehumanized "to the point of death" by the car crash.
It's her last quote that has struck readers the most, prompting multiple tweets in solidarity: "Personally, it has taken me 47 years to stop calling people who are mean to you ‘in love’ with you. It took a long time because I think that as little girls we are conditioned to believe that cruelty and love somehow have a connection and that is like the sort of era that we need to evolve out of."
Refinery29 has reached out to Thurman for comment.
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call theRAINN Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Today: a UX designer who makes $82,400 per year. She spends some of her money this week on Kenzo boots and a burger.
Occupation: Lead User Experience Designer Industry: Product Design Age: 27 Location: Northern New Jersey Salary: $82,400
Monthly Expenses Housing: $1,500, split evenly with my partner/significant other who lives with me. The rent for our one-bedroom apartment is very affordable compared to other places in our area. Student Loans: $420 Car Payment: $200
All Other Monthly Expenses Deductions: ~$950 is deducted from my paycheck for taxes, health insurance, accident insurance, retirement (12% in a 401(k) and a 6% company match), and life insurance Utilities: ~$70 in the winter (split evenly) Cable & Internet: $160 (split evenly) Investments: $80 Car Insurance: $120 Savings: I am trying to save at LEAST $200/month into a travel and emergency fund. I also put whatever I feel comfortable with at the end of each month to another savings account. Credit Card Debt: ~$400 total between a few cards. I had a lot of debt from college and my early 20s when I wasn't very responsible with money. I had a second job the past few years, and that income was used to get this balance down a lot. Therapy: $30-$60, depending on how often I go that month. Spa Membership: $80 for acupuncture and massages; self-care is important. Spotify, Netflix, Hulu & HBO Now: $43 Charitable Donations: $25 to our local Planned Parenthood and $10 to WNYC
Day One
5:30 a.m. — One of my cats (I have two) wakes me up around this time almost every day. He wants to aggressively snuggle and communicates that with head butts and loud purring. I am able to fall back asleep because the cat chooses to headbutt my partner, A., instead of me.
6:30 a.m. — Alarm goes off and I hit snooze until 7. Oops. This Monday is a little rough because we stayed at our friends' apartment in Hoboken over the weekend. We were up until 3 a.m. on Saturday and drank a lot of champagne and wine. I obviously haven't recovered from the late night yet. Am I getting old? I finally get ready at 7. I skip breakfast — a bad habit that I really want to break in 2018. I am never hungry in the morning but I would be better off eating something anyway. A. makes me a coffee and puts it in my travel mug, which I grab before leaving for work at 8:30.
9 a.m. — I am at my desk by 9 because my commute to work is very easy; it takes about 20 minutes max. I get settled, check my agenda for the week, and start emailing clients to check in. I wear a lot of hats at my company, I am the lead user experience designer, manage all ongoing UX projects, and some user research programs. Last week was busy and full of deadlines and I'm thankful this week is a little less hectic.
12 p.m. — I'm starving (I need to start eating breakfast) and instead of getting a healthy salad, I give into my craving for carbs and order pad Thai. The Thai place I usually order from is a short drive away and their lunch special is a great deal. (I work in a stuffy suburban town where a mediocre sandwich from the deli costs around $14. It is ridiculous.) I drive 10 minutes to an ATM to withdraw $40 cash (ATM fee is $3), then I pick up the order ($8.53) and chat with the lady for a bit. Back at the office, I eat my side salad and half of the pad Thai at my desk while reading this week's Money Diary. $11.53
2 p.m. — I have a case of the Mondays and can't focus for too long. I raid our office kitchen (it is always stocked with free snacks) for something sweet. I settle with a handful of pub mix and a can of Coke Zero before getting back to work.
6 p.m. — We had meeting after meeting all afternoon so I am a bit burnt out. I decide to call it a day and leave the office. I stop at Whole Foods on the way home for a few groceries so I don't order any more pad Thai for lunch this week. I get baby spring mix, romaine hearts, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, avocados, red onions, cauliflower, a bag of pepitas, two boxes of granola cereal (a request from A.), hemp milk, green tea, and mini chocolate cookies. I hate Whole Foods' prices but it is close to my house and the convenience is worth it. $45.58
7 p.m. — I do a load of laundry, watch some Bravo, and wait for A. to get home from work. I make salads with the groceries and pantry items. A. usually cooks dinner but I've been trying to share the dinner responsibilities lately! We watch the "Milk Money" episode of Rotten on Netflix and then the new episode of Vanderpump Rules. We can't get enough of VPR and I love that I got A. hooked on a silly reality show. We laugh out loud at James Kennedy the whole episode.
10:30 p.m. — I get in bed and work on the NYT crossword puzzle on the app. I probably shouldn't do this before bed but it's nice bonding time for us after a long workday.
Daily Total: $57.11
Day Two
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I hit snooze until 6:30. At 6:30, I put on music and I lay in bed looking at my phone. A. gets up to go to the gym while warning me to get to work early so I can leave early before it starts snowing this evening. I ignore this warning. I finally get out of bed around 7:20, put on Up First, and get ready for work.
9 a.m. — It was lightly snowing on the way to work. At the office, I make myself a coffee and put hot water in a hot water bottle I keep at my desk. I use one at work all of the time, either for cramps or just to keep warm. (My office is freezing.)
9:30 a.m. — A. got me Kenzo sneakers for Christmas but they are too big so we plan on returning them. I take a break from work emails and browse the Kenzo website. I have been eyeing the Totem Flat Booties which are 50% off right now but my size isn't in stock. I sign up for a stock alert email.
12:30 p.m. — I heat up the second half of my pad Thai for lunch and grab a bag of Sun Chips from our office snack cabinet. I'm back on the Kenzo website. I convince myself that I should go for the heeled boots instead of the flat while they are on sale. Free shipping and the fact that we are returning the sneakers soften the blow. $228
1 p.m. — We need a new voice recorder for work, so I buy two on Amazon Prime that have the best reviews. ($135 expensed)
1:30 p.m. — I'm feeling groggy and unmotivated. I decide to leave the office and take a very cold but short walk to a coffee shop for a chai latte. The walk and the latte make me feel better. $3.46
5:45 p.m. — I try to leave work but end up talking to my boss for 30 minutes about workshop and speaker topics for an upcoming conference.
6:45 p.m. — At home, I play with the cats, do some chores, and make another big salad for dinner. I put on music and start writing my submission for conference speaker. When A. gets home, I stop working and we watch TV and talk until bedtime.
10:15 p.m. — A, and I get in bed but do not go to sleep until 11 due to long overdue quality time... It's hard to find time to be intimate when you are mentally exhausted from work, the news, family drama, and life overall. This is something we agreed to work on in 2018.
Daily Total: $231.46
Day Three
6:30 a.m. — We wake up to a light snow storm and I hit snooze once. We lay in bed with the cats until 7:30, snoozing and chatting. I already know I'll be late this morning so I text a few people to warn them that I'll be in at 9:30. After getting ready, I make a salad for lunch and pour coffee in my to-go cup. A. cleans snow off my car (what a gem) while I bundle up for the weather.
9:30 a.m. — The drive to the office was easy because the roads are fairly clear. Someone brought in a giant container of chocolate chip cookies and I help myself to two. These will be gone by lunchtime in my office.
12 p.m. — I have a 12 o'clock meeting on Wednesdays so I grab the container of pub mix in our kitchen and bring it to the conference room to snack on. After the meeting, I offer to walk the office dog and we go for a chilly walk around the block in the snow. It is a nice mental break.
1:50 p.m. — I scarf down the salad I brought to work before a 2 o'clock meeting. The salad is really unsatisfying so I eat another chocolate chip cookie — the last one!
6 p.m. — I leave the office after A. calls to say he is working late tonight, meaning I'm on my own for dinner. On my way home, I stop to pick up an order of pierogis from a new Polish restaurant in my town. I need comfort food in this weather. $6.23
7:30 p.m. — Spend the rest of the night finishing the conference speaker submission and a thought leadership article for my company. A. and I jump into bed around 10.
Daily Total: $6.23
Day Four
9 a.m. — I woke up late again today so I don't leave the house until 9.
11:45 a.m. — We have an internal lunch meeting so my boss asks me to grab lunch for the team in the meeting. I order hot subs from the Italian deli and pay with my company card.
2 p.m. — I received an invitation to a black-tie fundraiser event in the mail, which is exciting because I designed the invites for the host nonprofit organization. It looks great! I have been volunteering for them for five years now by offering my graphic design skills pro bono. I text A. and ask if he wants to buy us two tickets because his company might expense the event.
3:45 p.m. — Snacktime. I raid the kitchen for a handful of candied pecans and a bag of Sun Chips. Free snacks are crucial.
7 p.m. — Today was crazy busy. I finally call it quits at 7. I meet A. at home and we decide to get cocktails at a restaurant we haven't been to in a while. I order a delicious blood orange fizz cocktail. Since I've been eating salads, I go for a burger but it comes overcooked and I immediately regret my choice. A. pays the bill ($77.05) but puts it on Splitwise, which we usually settle at the end of each month if it is not even. $38.53
9 p.m. — We're home by 9 and I immediately get ready for bed. I'm exhausted.
Daily Total: $38.53
Day Five
6:30 a.m. — I get up a decent time today. Get ready for work, eat a bowl of cereal with hemp milk, and take my time getting to the office.
9 a.m. — I get to work on time and put on headphones so I can get to work. I have two presentations to get out today and want to finish them by the early afternoon because I have meetings.
12 p.m. — I go for a walk during lunch. It helps me focus to get fresh air and move throughout the day. I can't sit too long. I grab hummus and chips from the office kitchen afterward.
5:30 p.m. — Today was another busy afternoon full of calls and meetings so I bounce at 5:30 after my last meeting.
6 p.m. — A. isn't hungry when he gets home so we both snack on things we already have. I make avocado toast and eat tortilla chips with salsa. This is common on Friday nights for us; we rarely feel like making meals at the end of the work week. We open a bottle of wine and watch the last episode of Rotten.
11 p.m. — Time for bed. Tomorrow is the Women's March on New Jersey in our town. I am excited to see how many people show up. Our town is full of activists and social justice organizations so it is a great venue for this event.
Daily Total: $0
Day Six
7 a.m. — Up early to get ready to go to a fundraiser breakfast for Mikie Sherrill, a badass woman running for Congress in New Jersey District 11. We donated to her campaign a few weeks ago to secure tickets to this brunch. Since moving to this area five years ago, I have become more informed and involved with local politics through volunteering and attending events. A. and I think it is important to meet your representatives face to face, so we try to attend events and town hall meetings.
8:30 a.m. — Breakfast is packed. I am so happy so many people are here to support women running for office. We manage to get a bagel, coffee, and some pastries from the self-serve buffet.
10:30 a.m. — After breakfast, we head to the march to meet up with A.'s parents and uncle. We walk to the town hall to grab a spot and see the speakers and newly-elected governor. (BYE, CHRIS.) We manage to meet up with more family friends while we listen to the speakers. Around noon, we begin the march to the park in the middle of town. There are so many people; it's a huge turnout. At the park, the new governor is supposed to speak but he defers to his wife, who talks about a time she was sexually assaulted. I am a ball of tears. It's hard to hear but I am happy she told her story.
1:30 p.m. — We walk to our favorite place in town to grab takeout; it's a family-owned Mexican restaurant that we go to almost twice a week. We all order burritos and A. pays ($35). I buy Jarritos for a few of us while we wait for the food. $4
3 p.m. — After we eat lunch with A.'s family at our apartment, we say our goodbyes. At home, we grab a bottle of bubbly from our wine fridge and walk to a housewarming party for a friend who bought a house in our neighborhood. There are a lot of people, food, and wine, and it turns out to be a great time. I indulge in more than a few glasses of wine.
6:20 p.m. — We decide to leave the housewarming party with a group of friends to go get drinks. We try three different places before finding a fancy cocktail bar that isn't packed. The group orders cocktails and appetizers but I don't eat because I'm stuffed from 2 p.m. burritos. I offer to split the tab but I think A. splits the bill with our friend.
9 p.m. — We go to another bar. I am slowing down because I've been on my feet all day, and I only order water. We are able to sit and chat at this bar. We stay for a few hours until A. and I order a Lyft but the guy cancels twice on us! We decide to just walk.
11:30 p.m. — I pass out immediately after hitting the pillow. What a long day.
Daily Total: $4
Day Seven
10 a.m. — A. and I don't roll out of bed until late. I make us coffee and A. leaves to go work at his office for a few hours. I watch TV and read the newspaper.
12 p.m. — Half of my veggie burrito from yesterday is in the fridge. I add fresh cheese on top and heat it in the oven. While it is heating, I fry an egg too; leftovers are always better with an egg on top.
5 p.m. — I lounged most of the day, spending my time working on small portfolio projects or watching Bravo. A. gets home from the office and tells me his friends are at the bar watching football. I offer to give him a ride so I can pick up groceries while I'm out. I drop him off but instead of getting groceries, I just pick up sushi instead; groceries can wait. $12.68
6:30 p.m. — A. gets home and we spend the rest of the night catching up on shows. I am traveling two days for work this week so I'm feeling recharged after a lazy Sunday.
Daily Total: $12.68
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