In small wins for the busty girl community, on Wednesday, Cosabella, the champion of cute and comfortable bralettes, just launched an official extended sizing collection. And in case you're as hung up over the Never Say Never bralette and panties as we are, they're making sure to include those, too.
Featuring over 20 products in an infinite array of color options, Cosabella's Extended Collection carries just about every underwear essential you could ask for. From the mentioned bralettes to demi cup bras, thongs, and sleepwear, the brand is covering all the bases. And in addition to expanding on its current best selling styles, Cosabella's also made the extra effort to introduces news style and colors (new products to expect are two all-lace bralettes and exclusive colorways). For bottoms and sleepwear, sizes are running from 12 to 22, while the bra offerings can be found from size 32D up to 40DD.
In case you're unfamiliar with brand, Cosabella dapples in luxury lingerie quality without the high-end price tag. In business since 1983, the company describes itself as an ethically manufactured label that believes women "shouldn’t have to sacrifice fit, style, or quality in lingerie, no matter full or straight sizing."
The world needs better, fuller sized lingerie. And thanks to Cosabella, we're one small step closer. Click through for highlights from the new collection ahead.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Apparently, Twitter can't handle a celebrity having plump lips. But this isn't news to anyone. Kendall Jenner, Sarah Hyland, and Beyoncé have all been targeted before (for some, more than once) for having a little cushion on their upper lips, and Olivia Munn was simply the next star in line to be shamed on social media.
After Munn arrived at the Runway to Red Carpet luncheon hosted by CFDA, Variety, and WWD on Tuesday , the internet pounced on her appearance, questioning the fullness of her lips. They even brought Kylie Jenner and Munn's ex-boyfriend, Aaron Rodgers, into the conversation.
But Munn is used to this kind of critique. In 2016, rumors began to spread about her skin's flawless texture. Haters speculated that her wrinkle-free face must be the result of plastic surgery, but the actress confirmed it was simply a change in diet and the magic of Japanese potatoes. Now, a little Twitter rumor about lip fillers rolls right off her back. Instead of posting a tweet to deny the allegations, she posted a video to Instagram Stories in which she wiped away her makeup with the caption, "Airplane glam (bye bye luscious lips!)." As suspected, it was all smoke and mirrors — a.k.a. the expertise of makeup artist Mary Phillips and nude lip liner from Nudestix.
But here's the thing: Whether Munn got lip injections or not is, frankly, none of anyone's business. If you can't think of anything else to tweet about besides a woman's appearance, may we suggest cheering on your favorite Olympic athlete, pushing for gun control, sharing your pick for Best Picture... or just putting down your damn phone.
When we think of the runways at fashion week, we think big picture: the clothes, the venues, the overall vibe and aesthetic each designer puts forward. But, what about the smaller details? What about the outfit-finishers: the bags, the shoes, the jewelry, and the accents you perhaps can't see from your computer screen, Instagram live stream, or fifth row seat? Those smaller add-ons are often what really make the looks shine — and also what tend to show up in our closet first (hey, it's way easier to afford a designer belt than a head-to-toe runway look).
It's time to take the magnifying glass to the accessories that have jumped out at us thus far. With New York and London under our belts and Milan underway, our eyes have scanned the catwalks from top to bottom to spot the bags, shoes, and more that will be finishing off our outfits come fall and winter. They may be bold, but the payoff will be totally worth it. Here's the can't-miss details you'll want to try ASAP.
Can't-Miss-Me Tights They'll see you coming from a mile (or more!) away in these bold prints and patterns.
Tom Ford
Shrimps
Jeremy Scott
Statement Gloves It was hard for us to spot a runway that didn't feature statement-making gloves, whether polka dotted, sheer, or studded. But we've got just one question: Will these be iPhone friendly?
Alexander Wang
Saks Potts
Erdem
Wide-Brim Hats We can all have our Beyoncé moment after all.
Marc Jacobs
Zimmermann
Isa Arfen
Beaded Bags Whether you spend a pretty penny or just hit up your local thrift shop, make sure to get your hands on one of these little numbers before next fall.
Emilia Wickstead
Edun
Shrimps
Wear Your Blanket To Work Day Don't feel like leaving your bed? You don't really have to. Blankets are fashion now, basically.
Roksanda
Esteban Cortazar
Calvin Klein 205W39NYC
Waistband-Brushing Necklaces Long baubles ruled the runways, so say bye-bye to those chokers.
3.1 Phillip Lim
Isa Arfen
Coach
Checked Bags To go with your checked blazer, of course.
Natasha Zinko
Marques'Almeida
Emilia Wickstead
The Power-Waist Belt Over corsets, tops, jackets, and bottoms, don't leave the house without one.
Brock Collection
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
Adam Selman
Ring-Handle Bags Crossbody straps are so last season.
Roksanda
Edun
MM6 Maison Margiela
Fuzzy Footwear We wouldn't say they're ideal for rainy days, but they do complement the silks and leathers of the season with ease.
Brock Collection
Cristian Siriano
Coach
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
This story was originally published on November 28, 2015.
Regardless of the time of day or week, it's impossible to scroll through your Instagram feed without seeing handfuls of Outfit of the Day posts. Between photos of food porn and your BFF's cat, you'll find a slew of fashion bloggers and the well-heeled putting out a seemingly constant stream of style shots complete with tons of "tap for credits" goodness. Follow enough of these stylish ladies and you'll start to see a pattern: A handful of poses tend to pop up again and again — and they may just be the secret to getting those thousands of double-taps.
If you're a beginner in the world of outfit photo ops, figuring out just how to pose can feel awkward and intimidating. But it doesn't have to be. For days when you're really feeling your look (but don't know how to show it off), we've compiled 15 fool-proof, industry-approved poses that will showcase both you and your outfit. Click on and let the #OOTD veterans show you how it's done.
The Knee-Pop An instant way to make your legs look longer, this pose is not surprisingly a favorite among the fashion community on Instagram. It also comes in handy when wearing wide-legged pants — a little leg separation prevents them from looking like a skirt in photos.
The Almost-Curtsy Find yourself wearing a sweet, mod, Alexa-Chung-style look but don't know how to show it off? A raised brow and slight pinch of your skirt will do the trick.
The Armpit Air-Out Aside from cooling yourself on a hot day, the causal, one-arm-up pose is model-approved and instantly chic. Sticking one leg out and sporting a parted pout complete the overall look.
The Headless Mirror-Selfie For when you're loving your outfit but feeling like your face isn't quite ready for its close-up, opt for the headless selfie to let your neck-down statements do the talking.
The Over-The-Shoulder Sit Who, me? I'm just sitting on the curb, minding my own business... For this pose, it's all about appearing like you were just kicking back, pondering tomorrow's outfit, when someone called out your name and snapped an unexpected (but totally expected) photo of you.
The Laid-Back Profile WeWoreWhat blogger Danielle Bernstein is the master of nonchalantly looking at something in the distance, showcasing the head-to-toe, front-meets-side view of her outfits.
The First Day Of School This one's pretty simple — all you have to do is stand like you used to when your parents would take your first-day-of-school photo every year. Here, showing your face (and gap-toothed grin) is optional.
The Cross-Legged Stance Another guaranteed leg-elongator, this pose should be your new go-to for dresses and jeans. Extra points for tilting you're head back like someone just told you something really funny.
The Straight-On Street-Style Veteran With legs hip-width apart, lean more weight to one side, keep your arms hanging down, and offer a half-smile. Boom — you've officially achieved street style photographer gold.
The Clothes-In-Motion For an artsier, slightly less contrived outfit photo, have your friend or photographer snap you while you're moving for a chic and frame-worthy in-motion shot.
The #EvaChenPose Eva Chen has made a franchise out of her go-to outfit pose, which showcases only the ankles, shoes, and bag of the day (oh, and a healthy serving of fruit). Just don't forget to use the hashtag (#EvaChenPose) if you give this one a whirl.
The Twirl If you're feeling whimsical, there's nothing like a classic twirl to showcase a flowy dress or skirt. Make sure to turn slowly enough, though, so you don't totally blur out your look.
The Hand-In-Pocket Stylist and blogger Pernille Teisbaek has made this cool-girl stance her signature. While standing slightly pigeon-toed, give a slight bend in the knee and tuck one hand in your pocket while you shyly look away from the camera.
The Mommy-Blogger The latest #OOTD accessory? A stroller. That's right: Just because you've got a little one doesn't mean you can't strike a pose and show off your model mother off-duty look. If anything, your likes will only double with that cutie in tow.
The Mirror Shot You don't always have someone around to take your #OOTD for you. So, find a full-length mirror, cross one foot in front of the other, and boom — got the shot.
Locate the nearest mirror and open up your #OOTD to a whole new world of angles. Show off your French braids (or your butt!), all while preserving the valuable front view of your 'fit.
The Carefree Shoe
Casually draw attention to your killer footwear and advertise how carefree/chill your life is, all in one pose. It's about the details, darling.
Everyone loves a good Cinderella story. Perhaps that's why Belcalis Almanzar, also known as Cardi B, has amassed over 11 million followers on Instagram and Twitter since 2015 — and the numbers keep boomin'. Some OG fans remember watching the college student-turned-grocer-turned-stripper's hilarious Instagram videos back in 2015, where she outlined her sexcapades, her plastic surgery procedures, and anything else you — or she — could imagine.
Her audience grew by multitudes once she landed a spot on Love & Hip Hop: New York. Even though that whole "love" part wasn't all that prevalent (her ex-boyfriend is incarcerated and they ended up calling it quits), America still loved the Bronx native's sharp wit, endless one-liners, and rainbow of colorful hairstyles.
As her spotlight grew brighter, Cardi's beauty game has become stronger. She'll still pull a wildcard by throwing on a fiery red, waist-length wig or a bright green lip, but lately, the star has been playing with softer looks, too. Of course, she's had ample opportunity to do so: She's become a red carpet and Fashion Week regular.
But perhaps the best part of this epic come up? Cardi has solidified her position as an artist, too: "Bodak Yellow" hit number one on the Billboard charts yesterday, making her the first female rapper to do so since Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" back in 1998. That means we'll be seeing a whole lot more of the "regular degular shmegular" New Yorker... forevaaa.
To celebrate this rising star, we're walking through her beauty evolution, ahead.
Don't let the bright smile fool you. "I ALWAYS BEEN UP TO NO GOOD," Cardi captioned a throwback Insta post.
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
Class of 2010's best bob cut goes to... (If only we were giving out the graduation accolades.)
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
"Yes I did my own makeup," a pink-haired Cardi captioned a post in October 2015 — and she did a damn good job, too. We can't decide what we love most: the carefully-winged liner, expertly-placed shimmer, or that glossy red lip.
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
Shortly after VH1 announced that she'd be joining the cast of Love & Hip Hop: New York, a raven-haired Cardi (with even shinier lids and chocolate brown gloss) made this unapologetic introduction: "For the new followers my name is Cardi. Im crazy, I spell fucked up, my teeth all chopped up but I got good pussy:)."
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
Cardi, pictured in May 2015, once admitted that braids are her preferred protective style. "If braids didn't pull out so much of my hair I would go back to this," she wrote. "The Original Cardi with the braids. I can't stand rocking weaves and wigs."
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
Bangs are obviously Belcalis' thing.
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
Even though we love her in bright colors, Cardi's sleek, jet-black locks and light mauve lips were refreshing to see at the BET Hip Hop Awards in September 2016.
Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images.
If we could like an Instagram post more than once, well, it would be this one. "When I was a little girl I used to hate my hair. Now I loooveeee it," she captioned a photo in October 2016, letting the world see her gorgeous head of natural hair. Ditto, CB.
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
If you asked us, we'd say that Cardi's short hair phase was one of her best. For example, it gave us space to really see her long lashes and pretty matte lip in November 2016.
Photo: @iamcardib.
Back to bangs? Duh. Later that December, she opted for a blunt, shoulder-length cut, blue highlights, and soft makeup.
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
The self-described "sexy alien forehead bitch" sported some poppin' highlighter in January 2017.
Photo: Via @iamcardib.
When Cardi commits, she really goes for it. In March 2017, around the time she dropped her single "Red Barz," Cardi rocked a lot of red hairstyles: bobs, ponytails, and this waist-length wig were all in the mix.
Photo: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images.
Hello, blondie! The "Bodak Yellow" rapper hit the 2017 BET Awards with a blonde, blunt bob. And she wasn't the only one...
Photo: Allen Berezovsky/WireImage.
For an August 2017 event, Cardi inadvertently channeled her fellow New York musician (and fan!) Nicki Minaj with these long locks.
Photo: Prince Williams/WireImage.
Still riding the wave off the success of "Bodak Yellow," Cardi attended the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards with a wavy bob, Champagne eyeshadow, and light brown lip gloss.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
A storm's a comin'! We're not sure if she meant to channel an X-Men character, but Cardi pulled it off perfectly at Christian Siriano's September 2017 fashion show.
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.
Followers compared Cardi B's Diamond Ball look to Cinderella — and rightfully so. Her elegant low bun and curly tendrils went perfectly with her ice blue Christian Siriano ballgown and Helen Yarmak diamond earrings. All she needed was the glass slipper.
She may not have made history as the first woman to take home a Grammy for Best Rap Performance, Cardi B's look — from her white ballgown to her ethereal makeup — was easily the big winner of the night.
Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images.
Cardi B is the next celebrity — right after Beyoncé — to prove soft center-parted curls are this year's raddest hairstyle on the rise. "We wanted to created create a look that was bold and fashion-forward," stylist Kendall Dorsey tells us. "The wig itself was provided by Real Exotic Hair. To prep and style, I used the Dove Style + Care collection, which accentuated the beautiful natural texture of the hair. Then, we used the Dyson to diffuse. I knew her hair would expand throughout the night to the perfect shape for a curly texture and style."
Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images.
Cardi B recently swapped out her curly bob for a belly-grazing look that is very blond.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
For the average person, getting a highlighter for your birthday means receiving one as a gift — which, don't get us wrong, is great and all, provided that's what you wanted this year and not a car or something. But on Rihanna's birthday, "getting a highlighter" means something even more thrilling than the euphoria of tearing the red tissue paper out of a Sephora gift bag to see what's inside: the launch of a special limited-edition version of her own bestselling highlighter, from her own beloved beauty brand.
In honor of the superstar's 30th birthday (and her 10,958th trip around the sun, as she wrote in an Instagram caption dedicated to her mom) yesterday, Fenty Beauty "surprised" Rihanna with the one-of-a-kind gift of a custom, blinged-out edition of the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Trophy Wife — and now they're making it possible for you to get your hands on one, too.
Well, sort of: The ones that launched exclusively on the Fenty Beauty website sadly won't come encrusted in crystals, which is a bummer, but they will feature special commemorative packaging honoring RiRi's "Dirty Thirty," and the luxe powder will come embossed with XXX, the Roman numerals for 30. The luminous metallic-gold shade and longwear cream-powder hybrid formula is the same, but it goes without saying that this take on Trophy Wife is just a liiittle more special.
If you're not content to simply carve three X's into your half-used one and want to spring for the brand-new edition, you can shop it at Fenty Beauty right now for $34 — but you'll want to act fast. Who's to say if the limited-edition stock will even last until Rihanna's 10,960th day on earth? (That's tomorrow, by the way.)
For hundreds of years, babies — no matter their gender — wore white dressing gowns. There was no children's aisle at the local tailor peddling blue, monster truck-clad overalls for boys or pink, frilly dresses for girls. Yet, somewhere along the line (around the 1940s) things changed and the mythical adage "blue is for boys, pink is for girls," came to be.
It's this stereotype that's propagated a host of insults on the playground, designed to reduce a little girl to a color. Suddenly pink was "girly," and "girly" was "weak." But over the past few years, women everywhere have turned the color on its head, reclaiming it as a symbol of resilience, power, and expression.
Neon-pink lipstick looks even more striking against bare, fresh skin.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
Model Nyakim Gatwech debuted a bright pink crop at Flying Solo's New York fashion show earlier this month — and we are in love. Judging by her Instagram, it appears the look is here to stay awhile.
Photo: Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
We love a good one-shadow look, especially when said shadow is peachy pink.
Better yet? Make it metallic.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
Not feeling powder pink or neons? Try reaching for shades of mauve like model and activist Halima Aden.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
Trade in your go-to cat-eye for a swipe of pink underliner.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
We don't know what we love more, this style star's navy blue hair, fierce cat-eye, or fuchsia lips.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
Proof that pink hair goes with absolutely anything — from plaid to graphic tees.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
Jazz up a black-and-white ensemble with a swipe of magenta lipstick.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
Want to cut down your morning routine? Just reach for a tube of pink lipstick and a pair of sunnies.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
This beauty makes the case for all pink everything (gloss, hair, and purse).
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
You don't need bright pink lipstick or liner to make a statement, a swipe of rosy blush will do the trick, too.
Photographed by Joanna Totolici.
Or reach for a soft pink stain — preferably in the same color family as your hair.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Today's modern version, for example, is more of a precision event, as if drawn on by the kind of pre-programmed robot arm that's used for laparoscopic surgeries. And that's where my struggle begins. Because I'll never be as dedicated to the craft as her highness — only allowing myself an additional 30 seconds each morning to apply eyeliner — my wings always extend a few centimeters off from the other. This was something I learned to accept over time.
Then, the Lyda Beauty Cleopatra Cat Eye Stamp landed on my desk, promising to stamp on a bold and even cat-eye in seconds — and suddenly, I felt all my Elizabeth Taylor-reincarnated dreams come true. Using the diamond-shaped end, all I had to do was press down the stamp at the corner of my eye, then fill in any gaps with the pointed felt-tip applicator on the other. Easy.
Of course, as with all new makeup techniques I try, nailing it took me somewhere around 320 attempts (and a whole lot of makeup wipes). The shape of the stamp is thick, so unless you want a particularly robust cat-eye — think Adele or Nicki Minaj — you have to be careful to only press down the pointed part, as opposed to the rounded edge, of the pen. As soon as I got the technique down, though, I was stamping with abandon. Cleopatra, I'd like to tell myself, would be proud.
And while my hand-eye coordination may not be advanced enough for me to apply makeup while pointing an iPhone camera at my face (though you can see someone try the product on for size in the Instagram video below), at least my days of uneven eyeliner are ancient history.
As the main event on the Milan Fashion Week schedule, if not the most highly anticipated show of all Fashion Month, Gucci quite literally had attendees counting down until its fall 2018 show (which is hilarious, given the known fact that fashion shows couldn't start on time if they tried, but made for great Instagram content). The invite came in the form of an orange timer, inside a Ziploc bag, with an old school, retro timer counting down to the spectacle. On the front of the timer, a sticker read: “Parental Advisory, Explicit Content.”
Staged in the brand's Milan hub, a former aircraft factory made into their new headquarters, the show space was transformed into a surgeon's operating room — replete with PVC flooring, stark white LED lamps, and hospital waiting room chairs surrounding an eerie operating table. Let's just say any and all nosocomephobes and tomophobes were not invited. "The concept reflects the work of a designer – the act of cutting, splicing and reconstructing materials and fabrics to create a new personality and identity with them," the brand shared on Instagram.
As with every Gucci event, designer Alessandro Michele left showgoers mesmerized. Seated in the front row of the hospital waiting room chairs were Nick Cave, Susie Bick, and their son Earl Cave, joined by TheEnd of the F***ing World stars Jessica Barden and Alex Lawther, Donatella Versace, Chloë Sevigny, Rowan Blanchard, Edward Enninful, and Anna Wintour. After sitting alongside Her Majesty The Queen at Richard Quinn's fall 2018 show (and no, we're not talking about Cardi B), it's safe to say the Vogue editrix is having quite an unusual week.
An essay written by Donna Haraway in 1984, entitled "A Cyborg Manifesto," served as the main source of inspiration — and was enough for a whopping 90-look lineup. If you're unsure of where to start, try here: In the essay, Haraway describes a cyborg as a distinction between "human" and "animal" and "human" and "machine"; the manifesto also criticizes traditional perceptions of feminism. In other words: You didn't expect Michele to send feminist tees down the runway, did you?
Alas, the show was political in its own way, and in true Michele form, he kept it weird: Some models emerged carrying frighteningly realistic replicas of their own heads, while others cradled reptiles, such as a snake or a chameleon, and even carried a baby dragon — all of which, inspired by the "legend of the baby dragon in the jar," the true story of an author who staged the discovery of a baby dragon in his garage in Oxfordshire, England. It's like, if Harry Potter took mushrooms, became an influencer, walked a Gucci show, and made it back to Hogwarts — which has now relocated to Times Square — just in time for his Defense of The Dark Arts class.
To no one's chagrin, Michele's maximalism shows no sign of dialing down — and, from Jupiter to Mars, Saturn and back, we are here for it. Based on the rapturous applause from celebrities and editors alike, the creative director will continue to reign supreme for yet another season.
Dang it. That Taylor Swift will stop at nothing.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
When you just can't let your 2017 self go.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Bus stop lewks.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
If these transparent garment bags become the new studded bodysuit, à la Rihanna, we give up.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
"Hush, my child. It's just Anna Wintour. "
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Put your hands up! This is a stick up.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Because business casual is just too easy.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Walking past your ex like...
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Them: "How's your head?" Us: "Haven't had any complaints!"
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Showing up to work on the first day being like, "Is this too much?"
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Dr. Michele will see you now.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Coming soon to a street style blogger near you.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Let's just say these aren't paparazzi — or jaywalking — friendly.
"It's not even that cold."
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
The latest in French girl accessories is...
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
"Right this way, please."
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
A look fit for a queen (or Leigh Bowery).
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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, as part ofYour Spending In Your State:a web writer working in finance and accounting who makes $60,000 per year. This week, she spends some of her money on Cool Ranch Doritos.
Occupation: Web Writer Industry: Finance & Accounting Age: 25 Location: Bergen County, New Jersey Salary: $60,000 Paycheck (Weekly): $1,200 pre-tax
Monthly Expenses Rent: $0. (I'm lucky that my parents still let me live at home since my job is nearby.) Loan Payments: None. My parents paid for my education. Health Insurance: $181.26 E-ZPass: Usually around $40. Phone Bill: $42
Additional Expenses Roth IRA Contribution: I make one yearly lump sum contribution of $5,500 (the max amount) around tax season.
Day One
10:45 a.m. — I wake up way past my alarm (whoops) and spend time going through my phone. I have a kickboxing class scheduled for 12:30 with a friend and I'm glad I didn't sleep through it. It's Friday but my friend and I have been off from work all week because our firms (big accounting firms) are closed between Christmas and New Year's. Small blessings, but also kind of a bummer for me since I'm a contract employee, meaning this time off is unpaid. My contract started a few weeks ago and it's so far, so good. I drink a hot coffee with collagen, eat a banana, and then my friend picks me up and we go to the class, which we paid for previously on Groupon. It's our first time so we get free gloves and they really take the time to explain things to us. The class is great and I'm feeling powerful, but before we can escape they try to get us to sign up for a membership. We want more time to think about it and they tell us we can decide after our second class.
2:30 p.m. — I get home and shower and I am DAMN hungry. I make myself a massive sandwich of leftover Christmas roast beef, mayo, and Swiss cheese on a long white roll. I wash it down with leftover coconut cream cake and carrot cake. It's my friend's birthday tonight in NYC so I start to get ready and convince my brother to drive me to the George Washington Bridge so I don't have to take a local bus from my house. I drive over to the liquor store to buy my friend a bottle of wine and Tito's for tonight, as well as a handle of Tito's for New Year's. $62.06
5 p.m. — Brother drives me to the bridge and it is freezing. I'd usually hop into a stranger's car so that I can get across for free and they can get the carpool E-ZPass rate, but there aren't many cars out on a night like this. Instead, I take the little bus across the bridge, which costs $2. I then refill my MTA card and hop on the subway. The subways are all messed up with the holidays and I end up having to walk across town in the bitter cold. My fingers are numb and I'm ready for a drink. $22
11 p.m. — After a few hours of eating and pre-gaming, we head out to the bar. I buy a few rounds of vodka sodas and beers for myself and the birthday girl and we dance for hours. $47
12 a.m. — Hop into a cab to get to the horrible Port Authority and make it there just in time to catch a 12:30 bus home. $21.35
Daily Total: $152.41
Day Two
11 a.m. — Whoa. I am hungover despite feeling good when I went to bed. I was supposed to wake up at 9 to drive to Hartford and spend a few nights at my cousin's house for New Year's Eve. I crawl out of bed late and manage to hop into the shower and get my bag packed. I don't have the stomach to eat yet so I grab water, get into my pickup truck, and hit the road.
3 p.m. — After hours of slow driving (due to the snow) and terrible traffic, I arrive in West Hartford and call my cousin (who is also slightly hungover) to ask about the snack situation. She tells me it's dire so I stop at CVS to pick up staples: Cool Ranch Doritos, peanut M&Ms (half-off cause they're Christmas-themed!), Cheetos, Smartfood, and a ginger ale for my stomach/hangover situation. I get to the house and land on the couch with everyone else, where we all catch up and decide what to have for dinner while eating all our snacks. $17.49
6 p.m. — Our friends want to go out but my cousin, her boyfriend (who lives with her), and I would prefer to stay in. I am on Team Order Food And Never Leave The Couch. I desperately want Thai food so I suggest that, and then my cousin's boyfriend and I order green curry and panang curry, respectively. The girls order Chinese food and my cousin's boyfriend, who is a saint, goes out into the cold to pick up everyone's orders. When he gets back, I Venmo him and eat a third of the curry before my hangover haunts me again and I need a nap. After a nap, I wake up and we play a few rounds of Catch Phrase and Pictionary while the others have a few drinks. We go to bed early because tomorrow (New Year's Eve) is gonna be a long one. $15.64
Daily Total: $33.13
Day Three
9 a.m. — I wake up feeling a hell of a lot better and crawl into my cousin's bed while her boyfriend and the girls clean up downstairs to prepare for the New Year's Eve party we are having. If there's something that my cousin and I are good at, it's avoiding cleaning. We're not totally horrible though, so after I heat up my leftover curry and she eats a bagel, we go to the grocery store. We stop at the McDonald's drive-through because my cousin wants a coffee, and I pay ($1). We make it to ShopRite and buy the stuff we need to make food for the party later. I decide on croissants wrapped around brie and jam, and I buy seltzer as well. My cousin is making meatballs and a croissant ring stuffed with chicken, sauce, and mozzarella. Yummy situations all around. $14.16
7 p.m. — We get home, laze around for a bit, and then start getting ready for the evening. People start coming at around 7 and we eat and drink way too much: prosecco spiked with rose liqueur to start, followed by John Daly's for my cousin and me. We ring in the new year, play a few games of pong and flip cup, and then my cousin and I sneak off to bed at 2.
Daily Total: $14.16
Day Four
10 a.m. — I wake up feeling great, and pack up so I can leave and beat the traffic home. But after saying my goodbyes, I try to turn on the car and it won't start. Long story short: It's too damn cold and the diesel has gelled. My cousin's boyfriend tries to help me jump-start it in this -8-degree weather (God bless his soul) but nothing is working. We go back inside and eat the McDonald's sandwiches that the girls picked up for us. New year, same us. We try to jump the truck again but nothing happens. Naturally, I'm blocking in everyone else in the driveway, so we have to push the truck to the back as best we can so that the other cars can drive out over the lawn. AAA won't answer us and 2018 is doing me dirty.
3:30 p.m. — I come to terms with the fact that I will not get this truck moved and abandon it. I book a bus ticket for Hartford to NYC and leave the keys with my cousin and her boyfriend before they drop me off at the bus stop. Miserable, I wait on line in the cold for the bus, which is late. I also pull a muscle in my neck during the stress of the day and cannot move my head. I get on the bus and the guy sitting next to me won't get off the phone. I'm over this day so I tell him he's rude and he finally gets off. By some miracle, the bus gets into NYC on time. I take the subway to 175th Street and then the little $2 bus across the bridge. My mom picks me up on the other side and feels bad enough for me that she buys me a Five Guys burger and fries. $25
Daily Total: $25
Day Five
7:30 a.m. — I wake up for work after a terrible sleep and start crying from the pain in my neck. I definitely have a cold now. But since I've had the past 10 days off, I know I can't pass up on work today. First thing's first, I cancel the kickboxing class that I scheduled for tonight. I have a feeling this neck issue isn't going anywhere for a while. I drink a hot coffee with collagen and half and half while I get ready for work, and make two fried eggs and shovel them into my mouth as I run out the door. I drive my dad's van to work (and he takes a different truck) since mine is still abandoned in Connecticut and walk in a few minutes late. I catch up on emails and get to a few writing assignments.
12:45 p.m. — I bundle up and leave to get lunch. I usually meal prep for the week, but given that I got home at 9 p.m. on New Year's Day, there was no time for that. I go to the salad bar and grab lettuce, kale, broccoli, cucumbers, chicken, feta, and a bean and wheat berry salad. I throw balsamic garlic dressing on it and head back to the office. The rest of the afternoon goes slow since I feel so crappy. $9.28
5:45 p.m. — I get home from work and eat turkey soup while catching up on reality TV. I usually like to read after work (my first book of the year is The Light Between Oceans) but I'm tired and in too much pain to care. I watch Vanderpump Rules and revel in the gossip before taking Advil PM and going to sleep.
Daily Total: $9.28
Day Six
7:30 a.m. — I wake up and get ready for work while drinking my collagen coffee. I had the energy to make pumpkin overnight oats (canned pumpkin, oats, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, honey, chia seeds, cinnamon, and nutmeg) last night before going to bed, so I bring that along with me to work and eat at my desk. I got a Fitbit for Christmas and decide to get my steps in today by taking a few walks around the office. Later, I do some work and then catch up with my cousin. It looks like there's going to be a blizzard tomorrow and my cousin and I are panicking about the truck situation. She has to park her cars in the driveway because there will be a street parking suspension and my truck is still stuck in the way. Not a good day. It's about 25 degrees today and my cousin is going to try and start the truck when she gets home. Prayers up that it moves because if not, I will have to pay to get it towed.
1 p.m. — I dug through the fridge this morning and managed to find food to bring for lunch. I have chicken and potatoes in a creamy lemon sauce. Mmmm.
5 p.m. — I stop at Trader Joe's to stock up on the essentials I will need. I like to get my cooking oils and shelf items here because they're usually cheaper, while I get my meats and produce at my local grocery store. I pick up ghee, coconut aminos, Turkish honey, yuzu hot sauce (I'm VERY interested in this), Turkish dried figs, New Zealand sweet apple rings (dried apples), kalamata olives in EVOO, canned wild Alaskan pink salmon, nutritional yeast (I literally don't know why I bought this, but I always end up with a few rogue items when I go to TJ's), unsweetened organic pea protein powder, prosciutto slices, riced cauliflower, and a frozen seafood blend. $67.91
6 p.m. — After a few days of thinking about it, I decide to buy a membership to the kickboxing place. I know it's a huge expense, but I also know I will really enjoy it and that it'll supplement my home workouts. The manager said the gym would honor the 2017 pricing if I signed up after my second class but I haven't been back since my neck was killing me. I go today to see if they will still honor the pricing (my friend already signed up) and they do! Somehow, I get a great deal for a 60-class package: All told, it works out to just under $9 per class. I hand over my credit card and rip off the Band-Aid, praying that my neck will feel better soon. $494
7 p.m. — I get home and there's pulled pork and a red cabbage, red, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro slaw waiting for me. Damn am I happy. I eat dinner, watch Jeopardy, get into bed, play and lose HQ Trivia, and go to sleep.
Daily Total: $561.91
Day Seven
8:54 a.m. — SNOW DAY! The offices are closed because of the "bomb cyclone" and I relish in the extra sleep. I log onto my computer in my pajamas, sip hot coffee with collagen and half and half, and send emails and work on a few campaigns. I'm not the most productive when I work from home, so I try my best. I eat oatmeal cooked in unsweetened vanilla almond milk with sautéed apples, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a big scoop of almond butter on top.
2 p.m. — The weather is so bad outside so there is no leaving the house. I scramble up eggs with Italian sausage and onion and then clean my room. After another half hour of work, I take a shower and ice my neck.
6 p.m. — I help my brother shovel and clear the snow off the cars outside, even though I am still in pain (maybe not the smartest move) and then have leftover pulled pork with cabbage slaw. I finish the evening off with the last slice of coconut cream cake, watch Jeopardy, and then go to bed.
Daily Total: $0
Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here.
Have a Money Diary you'd like to share? Right now, in addition to our ongoing diaries, we're looking for potential diarists along the following theme:
Your Spending In Your State:We want to run one Money Diary from a different state each week. Want to rep your state? Submithere!
Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ doc here: r29.co/mdfaqs
We want to hear about that time you asked for a raise:Did you get more money? Or did your boss shoot you down? We're looking for stories about the time you got up the guts to negotiate, even if you weren't successful.Fill outthis form, and you could see your answer on the site!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Two years ago, everyone from Taylor Swift to Emma Stone to Zendaya got haircuts inspired by Debbie Harry, the singer and punk icon of the '80s. And now, it seems as though Hailey Baldwin is trying her own rendition of the blunt cut and choppy bangs while spending time in London for fashion week. But this retro throwback isn't entirely what it seems.
Before Baldwin debuted her mid-length, platinum ends and face-framing fringe at the Naked Heart Foundation's Fabulous Fund Fair, the 21-year-old was rocking a relaxed bob that just barely hit above her shoulders. Then instantly, her entire look transformed. How? According to Jennifer Yepez, Kérastase's celebrity stylist who worked with Baldwin that night, you can credit her overnight evolution to a really good wig.
And yet, the trickery doesn't take away from the fact that this edgy new look still tops our inspiration lists. So if you want to cop the cut, Yepez told Refinery29 exactly how she styled it: "After I prepped it with Kérastase Force Architecte, I blowdried the hair to make it lay flat and then I used a flat iron to create a bit of wave. Then, I used Kérastase VIP Volume in Powder all over to give it some texture and Crème Magistrale on the ends."
In the meantime, Baldwin's hair will likely go back to normal. Not that this means we won't keep holding out for a full '80s revival...
As if Amangiri, the sprawling Utah resort where rooms start at $1,900, wasn't already all over your Instagram feed, reminding you that you are poor and do not deserve floatation therapy in saltwater imported from the Dead Sea, Kylie had to go and feature it in her baby announcement video. Now that the desert is officially Kardashian-approved, you have three options: keep living your life because that family means nothing to you; avoid canyons at all costs until Kourtney & Khloé Take Peru or something; embrace all things arid.
If you picked option C, good news: Desert-inspired fragrances are everywhere — not just in the Desert View Suite, beloved by billionaires for its "uninterrupted views of undulating dunes and stark plateaus." Ahead, the scents that'll transport you to a place with vast terrains, epic sunsets, and no cable connection... but just enough WiFi for you to document it all on your Story.
The fragrance you'd expect to smell on someone young and chic, with a colorful vacation home in Palm Springs, who went to Marfa simply for Prada Marfa (ok, and that artisan mezcal bar featured in Vogue). Notes of oak moss, freesia, and mirabelle plum make Nomade a floral chypre, meaning it's warm, dry, and minerally — just like a desert after a much-needed rainfall.
Not everyone loves the desert and not everyone will love this scent — but that's what makes it interesting. It's got serious heat and heaviness to it, thanks to spices, oud, incense, and patchouli, with a touch of sweetness by way of the date accord. It's not necessarily what we'd wear to the Sahara in the summer, but it's perfect right now with a cozy sweater and a whiskey.
Maison Margiela Replica Fantasies: Across Sands, $180, available at Sephora.
It's always harder to say what something is versus what it's not. For instance: What does the Grand Canyon smell like? Rocks? The color brown? Majesty? I'm not sure, but I can tell you it doesn’t smell like Proenza Schouler's first fragrance, Arizona, which seems better suited for the U of A Pi Beta Phi than the nomad who’s living out of her Volkswagen on a tour through the Southwest. That's not a dig; it's just to say that this sweet blend of cactus flower, jasmine, orange flower, and musks is more of a universally appealing, "pretty" scent than you'd assume given the specific name and offbeat bottle.
The second driest continent in the world, after Antarctica, is Australia. Outback likes to honor this fact by serving up America's driest steak; we like to wear this perfume made with Boronia and sandalwood from the region. It's what "dusty pink" would smell like, if "dusty pink" were a thing.
Ever gotten high, turned on the Discovery Channel, and been moved to tears by the dramatic fast-motion life cycle of those miracle plants and animals that thrive in the harshest environments? Yeah, no, we haven't either. Definitely not. But the ghost flower (Mohavea confertifolia, if we're being fancy) is one of those plants, and it's the inspiration behind this cult-favorite fragrance. Woody but light, musky but clean, soft but long-lasting — it sounds impossible, but it's just incredibly rare.
In West Texas, you'll find a very cool hotel/campground called El Cosmico. You can sleep under the stars in a teepee, a yurt, a trailer, or your own brought-from-home tent, and when you wake up, you can wander into the gift shop and buy yourself this fragrance to commemorate the trip. Or you can just order it online and trust that it smells exactly like shrubs, wood, and sand in a bottle.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
These days, we tend to think that denim is supposed to be "flattering." Sure, we've come a long way from owning only skinny jeans like we did just a few years ago — we love a good culotte or wide-leg at this point — but there's one denim silhouette we thought wouldn't be returning from our past any time soon (or ever).
Believe it or not, the baggy jean is about to make a comeback. Get ready to channel your inner '90s and early-aughts icons like Natalie Portman, Paris Hilton, and Drew Barrymore, because Levi's has surprised us all by launching the much-loved anti-fits of the period with a selection of loose-fitting pieces in soft, washed-down denim, including a jean, a trucker jacket, a pair of shorts, and some overalls that have all mastered that perfect throwback oversized fit. Ranging from $69.50 to $98, the items are a cheap thrill that'll shoot you right back to 2002. Now all you need to do is dig out those baby tees and scrunchies.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Finding low-maintenance, budget-friendly beauty inspiration from Hollywood celebrities can be tricky. We know damn well that even if they go to the drugstore to buy makeup wipes, that balmy, red lipstick on their off-duty days isn't often under $10, and the three eyeshadows that were mixed to deliver that smoldering smoky eye at the Golden Globes don't come wrapped in plastic seals. Stars will never be exactly like us — except, maybe, for Drew Barrymore.
Not only does she put her makeup on while riding the subway, but she's also lazy crafty like the rest of us and sometimes sleeps in her makeup for the perfect "smudgy" effect. Even better, she has her own beauty collection, Flower Beauty, that lets everyone achieve the effortless beauty look she nails every single day. So, in honor of her birthday this month, we're sharing our editors' favorite Flower Beauty products, ahead.
"A good, solid blush that does the job on the cheap. It doesn't ever look patchy on, doesn't contain any annoying shimmer, and comes in four flattering shades." — Mi-Anne Chan, beauty writer
"I am firmly a cream highlighter girl, but this velvety powder hybrid has me changing my tune. The finish and shimmer is so natural, and the muted metallic colors are so flattering." — Cat Quinn, beauty director
"People always say of their favorite lipstick that they can swipe it on in the backseat of a cab without a mirror and not have to worry. But unless the lipstick is this size, I call bullshit (or maybe I'm just especially bad at staying in the lines). This little pencil-eraser sized circle of color fits my lip shape perfectly, so I really can apply it mindlessly like a balm, and Rose Petal adds the touch of natural-looking pink I want every morning." — Alix Tunell, senior beauty editor
"Whenever my friends raid my vanity, they think that this powder is something expensive that I got from the Bergdorf's beauty counter or something. Despite its low price, the translucent powder has the same blurring effects as its $$$ counterparts — and it doesn't leave an ashy cast like some white powders tend to. I also use it to give my sheer lipsticks a matte finish by just tapping some on top with a lip brush." — Khalea Underwood, beauty writer
"Despite how much I want them, I'm way too scared to try lash extensions. Luckily, this mascara satiates my long-lash craving in two swipes. There aren't a ton of bristles on the wand, so the formula evenly combs through every lash without making my eyes look artificially feathered." — Sam Sasso, beauty editorial assistant
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
When confronted with foundation that reads "sheer" or "dewy," those with acne-prone skin have the same kind of involuntary, leg-jerk reaction you get when the doctor taps your kneecap (only maybe a little more subtle). After backing away, the next course of action is to layer on a heavy duty formula to cover all the red bumps up (then layer some more).
But, as you probably know but don't want to think about, that only clogs pores, which makes matter worse. So what's one to do? If you want to kill two birds with one stone, go for a makeup base with salicylic acid or an exfoliating agent that will treat your blemishes as well as disguise them. Or, at the very least, choose a formula that isn't too matte, too drying, or too greasy.
A tall order, maybe, but we've got you covered. Click ahead for the best foundations for acne-prone skin.
The big sister to the brand's award-worthy concealer, this powder is loaded with all the ingredients you'd find in regular acne-fighting spot treatments — like witch hazel, sulfur, and gentle exfoliating acids — and leaves behind a buildable veil of coverage that feels like absolutely nothing on skin.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Powder, $28, available at Ulta Beauty.
If you don't believe in the acne-clearing magic of this full-coverage (and salicylic acid-packed) foundation, perhaps the 1,381 reviews on Sephora will convince you.
Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup, $29, available at Sephora.
Makeup artist Jamie Greenberg recently tested dozens of drugstore foundations, and fell hard for this lightweight formula above the rest. Not only does it treat blemishes as it covers, it sets to a matte finish that's perfect for oily types — all for less than you'd pay for dinner.
Almay Clear Complexion Blemish Healing Liquid Makeup, $14.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
It may be the priciest foundation on the market, but when a 27 ml jar of creamy, full-coverage formula hides every last pimple and delivers the kind of glow only J.Lo has, does it really matter if it costs you as much as an Apple Watch?
Cle de Peau The Foundation, $250, available at Neiman Marcus.
This option from Oxygenetix pairs soothing aloe vera gel with powerful salicylic acid and settles to a matte, but never dry, finish.
Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation Acne Control, $76, available at Dermstore.
When all liquid foundations are too oily for your skin, reach for this long-wearing pressed powder. Kaolin Clay works fast to absorb oil, while perfectly concealing any blemishes along the way.
CoverFX Pressed Mineral Foundation, $38, available at Sephora.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
"To be a part of the Calvin Klein family is surreal and I feel like I’m carrying on a legacy," she tells Refinery29. "This will definitely be one of the most memorable things that I have ever done. When I’m 90, I’m going to be like, I can’t believe that was me at 13! Calvin Klein is feminine, it’s edgy; it’s something that I wear every single day."
Shot by Willy Vanderperre, the campaign sees the three in the brand's instantly recognizable western-inspired button-ups, striped trousers, and sports bras while posing in the same rustic location as the previous shoots — a nod to Calvin Klein's continued exploration of classic Americana.
"We shot this campaign in a barn and I think the setting completely embodies America and so does the fashion," Brown says. "I’m English, and I’ve always looked up to the American style. Calvin Klein is Americana to me. Raf has reincarnated Calvin Klein in a way that has made it modern and also takes it back to its roots."
Of this connection, Tenney adds: "In the past two years especially, I think Calvin Klein has taken American symbols and myths that everyone knows and has made them fresh again, by giving them new and interesting meanings."
Jackson couldn't agree more: "Calvin Klein is inclusive and whatever divisions we create as humans, I feel like they overlook that and speak to everyone. That’s American to me, and it’s beautiful."
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Small and delicate tattoos are all the rage right now, and they're especially perfect for anyone looking to get some ink without getting too much attention. Their hidden placement — often behind the ear, or on the finger — can lend an edgy sense of mystery to them, even more so when they're done in white.
White tattoos are practically invisible, which is why it may come as a surprise to learn that a ton of It girls, like Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne, and Shay Mitchell, have them.
Ahead, we've rounded up our favorite celebrity white tattoos (plus a few examples from those without a "k" or "m" next to their Instagram follower count) that'll make even the most body art-averse maybe, just maybe, start to change their tune...
Want to take you and your bestie's friendship to the next level? Trade in your bracelets for two half-heart tattoos.
Back in 2014, Cara Delevingne added a white tattoo, which reads "breathe deep," to her collection. Who doesn't need a reminder to do that every now and then?
@caradelevingne
Kendall Jenner got a tiny white dot by the NYC-based celebrity tattoo artist JonBoy, and he told us about how it came to be: "To her, it's the little things that matter. And the white color was because she didn’t want it to show with modeling and all that."
@jonboytattoo
Jenner also got inked in white with BFF Hailey Baldwin, then revealed the true meaning of the tattoo on her website. "The one on my right hand is a full heart to represent an angel, and my left is a broken heart — kind of like the devil side," she wrote. The white, shattered heart on her left hand matches the shattered heart in red on Baldwin's inner finger.
PHOTO: VIA @HAILEYBISBORING
Shay Mitchell showed off her super-subtle inner wrist art on Instagram back in 2012. "Infinite #love for my girls ...," she captioned the post.
@shaymitchell
Ellie Goulding got a white arrow tattooed on her index finger in 2013. The musician has a collection of delicate tattoos, but we think this is the perfect example of how to pull of light-colored ink.
@elliegoulding
This anchor would be barely noticeable to anyone besides your manicurist.
@erni_sascha
Not only is the ink badass, that's some major brow and highlight inspiration, too.
@connie_correa
These matching finger tattoos from NYC's West 4 Tattoo are so chic, especially with a polished mani.
@wickynicky
The back of the neck is an ideal place to hide a tattoo if you have long hair. Do it in white, and no one will ever know until you want them to.
@connietattoos
Nothing pairs with a Cartier bracelet quite like a diamond...
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
Whether it's a reference to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or just a reminder to chill, this white ink is quickly rising to the top of our wishlist.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
No matter the length, texture, or style of our hair, we’re always on the hunt for ways to make our tresses as lustrous as possible. But between monthly colorist appointments, an affinity for hot tools, and unpredictable weather conditions, this is no easy task. So to help repair the damage caused by chemicals, heat, Mother Nature, and genetics, there’s nothing better than a hair mask to get your mane back into tip-top shape.
Not to be confused with your daily conditioner, a hair mask (or masque, if you want to sound fancy) is more intense, usually thicker, and should be left on for anywhere from three to 15 minutes — sometimes even overnight if your strands are in need of some extra TLC.
“Daily conditioners just touch the surface of the hair,” says Renee Pelc, color expert and owner of Gloss Salon in Chicago. “While your regular hydrator lowers the pH of your hair, which makes your hair appear smooth and shiny, it’s not doing anything to actually restructure the hair.”
Of course, one hair mask does not fit all hair types, so we rounded up a splurge and a bargain option for 10 different textures and styles, from curly to oily to fine. So, until we can crack the code on how to have perfect tresses year-round, these secret weapons are the next best things.
Keep clicking to discover the mask that's right for your hair and budget.
This mask eliminates frizz and hydrates curls for soft, happy hair. It might be pricey, but it lasts forever because you only need a small amount each time.
Kérastase Discipline Maskeratine, $65, available at Kérastase.
Curly Hair: Bargain This oil- and butter-rich formula is so luscious, we kind of want to slather it all over our bodies. But, we’ve found that it really works wonders for taming unruly manes that are subjected to occasional — or regular — frizz and breakage.
Carol's Daughter, $12.6, available at TargetPhoto: Via Carol's Daughter.
Long Hair: Splurge Rich moisturizing masks can be a bit heavy for long hair, but this one never weighs ours down despite its oil-rich formula. It's packed full of quinoa, sunflower seed oil, and rahua oil to hydrate and smooth dull hair.
Long Hair: Bargain A drugstore favorite, this mask claims to repair a year’s worth of damage in one use. Ceramides work to restore split ends, weak and rough cuticles, and thirsty tresses in need of a serious overhaul.
L'Oréal, $5.99, available at TargetPhoto: Via L'Oréal.
Short Hair: Splurge Drybar, the brand that brings you killer blowouts on demand, makes a lightweight mask that’s perfect for gals with short locks, too. Moringa seed oil provides hydration without heaviness, while protein and yuzu oil add resiliency and shine that turns heads.
DryBar, $38, available at SephoraDryBar, $38, available at SephoraPhoto: Via Drybar.
Short Hair: Bargain The name of this ingredient-packed magic mask says it all, working to transform your hair (you guessed it) 10 different ways. But, even though it's overloaded with benefits, this formula won’t weigh down your 'do.
It's a 10, $25.99, available at AmazonPhoto: Via It'a A 10.
Color-Treated: Splurge The container alone could tell you this product is fancy, but it’s what’s inside that really counts. The wild mango butter, edelweiss flower extract, and keratin-packed formula keeps color-treated hair healthy and soft — even after your third touch-up this season.
Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color, $63, available at Amazon.
Color-Treated: Bargain Used at the famed Fekkai salons across the country, this luxe-for-less mask strengthens, repairs, and protects color-treated locks with pure grapeseed oil. Extra points for the dreamy rose fragrance.
Fekkai, $25, available at FekkaiPhoto: Via Fekkai.
Straight Hair: Splurge This mask (or pak) means serious business, people: Among restructuring ingredients like hydrolyzed keratin, this straight-hair savior also contains grape phytoceuticals, which are loaded with antioxidants — a must for city gals barraged daily by urban pollution.
Davines, $34, available at DavinesPhoto: VIa Davines.
Straight Hair: Bargain This formula is, technically, meant to be used as a pre-shampoo treatment, but it's also great as deep conditioner as well. It's full of hydrating avocado, olive, and almond oils, which means it always leaves our tresses feeling soft and looking shiny.
Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment, $9, available at Burt's Bees.
Dry Hair: Splurge
The term 'intensive care' isn’t usually seen in the context of hair, but that’s exactly what this powerful mask promises: a reparative, rejuvenating experience that leaves dry, tired, compromised hair silky and transformed after a single use.
Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil, $71, available at Christophe Robin.
Dry Hair: Bargain If you haven’t picked up Aussie’s products since you were in college, then it’s time to revisit the purple kangaroo. In just three minutes, this deep-conditioning treatment hydrates dry and damaged 'dos with good old-fashioned aloe and jojoba seed oil.
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioning Crème Treatment, $2.50, available at Target.
Damaged/Sensitized: Splurge
This sulfate-, silicone-, and paraben-free mask can be used weekly to revive damaged or brittle hair. It's loaded with rosehip oil, almond oil, vitamin B, and algae extract to enhance shine, control frizz, and soften.
Damaged/Sensitized: Bargain This buttery hair mask smells so good, it may as well be a body butter. Yummy scent aside, ingredients like sugar-cane extract, coconut oil, hydrolyzed soy protein, and lemon-peel extract help repair what you destroyed at the salon. There’s no reason to stop booking those appointments as long as there’s a mask like this around.
Garnier, $6.49, available at CVSPhoto: Via Garnier.
Thick Hair: Splurge You get what you pay for with this miracle worker. Alterna’s proprietary Enzymetherapy delivery system literally helps to pump up the formation of keratin in your thick head of hair. Add frankincense and French Champagne-quality grapeseed oil to the mix and this product is pure luxury.
Alterna, $55, available at AlternaPhoto: Via Alterna.
Thick Hair: Bargain
We know, hearing the word "butter" combined with build-up on thick hair doesn't sound like a magical duo, but it actually is. Although it's deeply hydrating, the hero use is to buff away product buildup at the root for a deep clean on even your most product-heavy hair day.
Not Your Mother's Matcha Green Tea & Wild Apple Blossom Nutrient Rich Butter Masque, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Fine Hair: Splurge This lightweight mask is made with rose petals, lavender stem, and beta-carotene which helps moisturize and strengthen strands without weighing them down.
Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque, $99, available at Need Supply.
Fine Hair: Bargain
Your hair is left silky sans the grease and is enriched with diamond dust to give it superior shine. Yes, this is our bargain suggestion.
Wella, $13.9, available at Ulta BeautyPhoto: Via Wella.
Oily Hair: Splurge If you’re familiar with the House of Carita, then you already know its products are worth the splurge — and this mask is no exception. Not only does it help to remove excess dirt and grime from product buildup, but it also works to repair and protect your hair, resulting in touch-worthy, silky strands.
Carita, $60.9, available at FeelUnique.comPhoto: Via Carita.
Oily Hair: Bargain The keyword here is lightweight — anything too heavy will only make oily hair even oilier. This classic formula is the perfect balance between hydrating and weightless — and in this single-serving packet, it’s easier to use (and less expensive) than ever.
Nexxus Humectress Moisture Masque, $3.99, available at Ulta.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Sure, people are still obsessing over getting fuller lips and contoured cheeks, but lately there’s been quite a buzz surrounding a less in-your-face body part: your neck. Despite the fact that the neck shows evidence of sun damage much faster than the face, this sensitive area has commonly been one of the most neglected spots on the body in terms of sun protection and anti-aging action. That is, until now.
Subtle changes often start in the neck area — dry or thinning skin, fine lines, a loss of crispness along the jaw — in a woman's late thirties. Larger “issues” tend to develop a decade or so later. But many people are concerned about their necks regardless of age, and the beauty industry is tapping into these insecurities big time. For better or worse, we’ll let you decide. We don't judge what anyone does (or doesn't do) with or to his or her body — neck and all — we're just here to let you know what's out there.
From the scads of lifting creams landing on our desks daily, to the latest jaw-line tightening treatments hitting the market, to the new under-the-chin fat-melting injectable Khloe Kardashian is promoting, suddenly it seems like neck products and treatments are everywhere. Ahead we talked to a handful of dermatologists about all things neck-related, from the most basic products they recommend to the most extreme procedures.
Of course, we recommend using sunscreen on your face daily for protection and preventative measures, but be sure not to forget your neck. “Because we have less fat underlying the neck skin, it gets crepe-y and lax faster than the face,” says Whitney Bowe, MD.
Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 Sunscreen, $32.50, available at Dermstore.
Sunscreen and antioxidants can preserve padding by preventing UV rays and free radicals from depleting skin-plumping collagen. Broad-spectrum mineral sunscreens are super-effective and gentle, making them ideal for the delicate neck and chest.
Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $38, available at Sephora.
"Not sure why it took so long for the industry to come out with a quality sunscreen specifically for the melanin-blessed crew, but I'm glad that it happened," Refinery29 beauty writer Khalea Underwood says. "Bolden's formula is in a small tube, but I've been using it for around three months now and still have enough to last me until Thanksgiving. Two pumps is really all you need when properly layered. If your skin-care routine already encompasses other moisturizing elements (like serums and face oils), then a dab of this sheer formula can go right on top of your heavier moisturizer. It's so light that I usually forget I have it on."
Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer, $28, coming soon to Bolden USA.
Creams & Serums
“Many women in their twenties and thirties are using expensive face creams and coming in regularly for face-focused tweaks, but very few think to take care of their necks before 40,” says Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Using a cream or serum chock-full of non-irritating peptides will trigger collagen growth and thicken things up. You can find these peptides in a handful of products from different price points.
PCA Skin Perfecting Neck & Décolleté, $79, available at PCA Skin.
Olay ProX Hydra Firming Cream, $28.99, available at Target.
Most firming/lifting potions also throw in antioxidants, hyaluronic acid (for instant plumping via hydration), and polymers, which “lay down an invisible elastic film over the skin to deliver an immediate stretching effect that gives a more youthful look for a full day,” says cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer, who is most impressed with a type of “smart polymer” called poloxamers (found in Science Serum's formula), which become “very thick and tight when they reach body temperature,” he says.
Science Serum Tightneck Clinical Anti-Aging Neck Serum, $79, available at Science Serum.
This treatment contains ingredients like glycolic acid and amino acids to keep things smooth, clear, and tight.
Dr. Brandt Do Not Age Firming Neck Cream, $67, available at Ulta.
Injectables
Kybella is a deoxycholic acid injectable, FDA-approved only for treating fat right below the chin. It’s generally done under local anesthesia to make the needle pricks (you can receive up to 50 per session) less torturous, and results in major swelling that can last a week or two. “You’ll look like you have a grapefruit under your chin, and the swelling is usually coupled with a week of numbness or discomfort,” says Dr. Frank, adding that most people need three or four treatments at $2,000 a pop.
When it comes to neck lines, injecting necklace lines with a fine-line filler, like Belotero or Restylane Silk, offers an immediate boost, “improving them by [over] 80% and lasting a few years,” says Dr. Frank. Prepare to pay between $750 and $900. For women who want an actual neck lift, but don't want surgery, Dr. Frank offers his “cannulift technique”— injecting thick volumizing fillers (like hyaluronic acid-based Voluma or Restylane Lift) along the jaw bone with a blunt cannula to lift and sculpt the area. Since several vials of filler are usually needed, the procedure isn’t cheap ($1,700 to $2,500), but results can last up to a year.
Micro Botox ($750) can also “make a significant difference in 40-somethings who want that little bit of lift,” says Dr. Frank. The procedure entails placing very dilute amounts of the neuromodulator right under the skin, all throughout the neck, to relax the platysma muscle enveloping the area, and relieve that downward pull.
Illustrated By: Norah Stone
Lasers
The chin throws a bit of shade on the skin directly south of it, but the sides of the neck are left exposed — and susceptible to sun damage. One of the earliest signs of said damage is a type of red and brown mottling called poikiloderma, prevalent in die-hard sunbathers (can you believe there’s still such a thing?). Dr. Bowe recommends a combination of Fraxel Dual (a non-ablative resurfacing fractional laser) and V-Beam (a redness-relieving vascular laser), which can generally eradicate pigment in two visits (at $1,000 to $1,500 per). Fraxel lasers also jumpstart collagen synthesis to smooth away any burgeoning crepe-y-ness. Expect a few days of ruddiness and possible bruising afterward.
Ultrasound Therapy & Radiofrequency
The jaw will soften over time — in profile, those angles don’t look as razor-sharp as they used to, mostly due to waning elasticity and the sheer downward pull of gravity on the lower face and neck. Ultrasound-based Ultherapy and radiofrequency-fueled Thermage are many derms’ go-to devices for tightening such skin (around $3,500). Both tools deliver heat to the deeper layers of the skin to ramp up collagen production, “so you see a gradual tightening of the area within six months,” says Dr. Bowe, who finds that teaming up the two devices — using Ultherapy first, then Thermage three months later — gives the most dramatic outcome.
New devices, like the Infini, marry radiofrequency and microneedling to deliver heat deep into the skin via needle tips, encouraging new collagen growth and more extreme tightening. “It works well on all skin types, and the skin heals better and faster than it would following aggressive lasers,” says Dr. Frank. (Most have a sunburn-like reaction for about five days, and require two or three sessions as $1,500 each.)
As another faster-acting alternative to lasers, Dr. Frank developed his UltraTight procedure — a sort of lipo-ultrasound hybrid — to slim and shape the neck and jaw line. The technique, done under local anesthesia, involves inserting an ultrasonic wand under the skin (through one or two tiny holes in the base of the chin) to tighten skin from the within while simultaneously melting fat before it’s sucked out. (It can cost $3,000-$5,000 depending on the size of the area being treated.) He compares the 24- to 72-hour recovery period to that of a root canal.
Other In-Office Treatments
Dr. Bowe also uses the CoolMini (sometimes in tandem with Kybella), a new neck-specific applicator for the fat-freezing CoolSculpting device. It's relatively painless and side effect-free. However, because of the way the device attaches under the chin, patients can’t move during the hour-long procedure, which can make some feel claustrophobic, warns Dr. Bowe. It costs about $1,000 and requires one or two sessions. Both Kybella and CoolMini take about three months to show results.
Illustrated By: Norah Stone
At-Home Gadgets
For those looking to score preventative extra-credit points, there’s a new at-home gadget for the face and neck called the Conture Kinetic Skin Toning System. According to New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, who assisted with the company’s clinical trial, the tool uses vacuum and massage to “improve skin’s ability to absorb the actives in anti-aging products, to boost circulation and radiance, and to tighten skin for a noticeable reduction in sagging.” Following the eight-week study, 70% of subjects saw a significant lift, and 64% experienced an improvement in firmness.
Conture Skin Toning System, $219.95, available at Conture.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
When you’re a teenager dealing with your first (or fiftieth) breakout, the plan of attack tends to be pretty straightforward. Squeeze out a generous dollop of drugstore spot treatment each night, bleach some pillowcases, and hope for the best. Rinse, repeat. Acne is never fun, but at least when you’re under the age of 25, you can still pray you’ll grow out of it. This will all end the minute you graduate and get your own apartment, right?
Wrong. Adult acne is a different beast — a more persistent evil that’s an established part of your life, not something that might go away in 3-5 years or whenever your hormone levels stop fluctuating wildly. So you treat it differently, with a diligent skin-care routine and an arsenal of potent products (which you can now, hopefully, afford to spend a little cash on).
Blemish-fighting face masks are particularly essential, and with the number of amazing formulas and proven ingredients on the market, acne sufferers have more options than ever. Bring out the breakout-zapping big guns with these best-in-class masks — now, if only they'd been around when you were 14 and relying on an expired tube of cream your mom gave you.
This mask works triple duty on acne-prone skin because it's formulated with brightening amino acids, pore-clearing minerals, and powerful peptides that reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum Mask, $83, available at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Rare is an acne-fighting mask that’s potent enough to banish breakouts, yet gentle enough to leave your face feeling balanced, not parched. The combination of absorbent bentonite clay and renewing retinol and turmeric root in this one make it one of the best for giving stressed skin a full overhaul, but it’s the healthy bacteria in the probiotics that really goes the extra mile.
Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask, $54, available at Tula.
A daily pore cleanser, an instant purifying mask, an overnight spot treatment — this longtime favorite does it all, thanks to a formula rich in Umbrian clay, the brand’s proprietary ingredient for clarifying and detoxifying all skin types. The clay acts as a neutralizer to balance oil production and reduce inflammation, and sandalwood oil has an astringent effect that won’t dry you out.
Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask, $62, available at Nordstrom.
You can’t do much better than this tried-and-true clearing mask, a perennial go-to for its reasonable price and effective zit-zapping power. The cooling sensation makes it feel like a real-deal spa treatment, and the clear, refreshed complexion it reveals once rinsed is truly impressive for something you can find at a suburban mall.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask, $11.90, available at The Body Shop.
This intense treatment is not for skin-care wimps, but if you like to really feel your products working, then watch out: You’re about to get hooked. Like a clay mask on crack, the technology in this multifunctional formula breaks down clogged pores, delivers oxygen to deep within the skin, and reduces inflammation all in one go. The strong stinging sensation after it’s washed away is so worth it.
Honey is the first (and most plentiful) ingredient in this mask, which gives it unique moisturizing qualities — without feeling heavy or sticky. Exfoliating AHAs, superfruit extracts, and a blend of healing essential oils refine pores, zaps acne, and make skin look and feel soft, smooth, and perfectly clarified.
Tata Harper Clarifying Mask, $68, available at Sephora.
This beloved detoxifying mask stands alone in its category as one of the few over-the-counter treatments that shuts down severe hormonal breakouts — you know, the kind you feel coming before you can even see that they’re there. With a lightweight gel texture and soothing effect, it doesn’t feel like much, but the results are staggering.
Renée Rouleau Rapid Response Detox Masque, $60.50, available at Renée Rouleau.
It’s the perfect middle ground: a mask that both replenishes the skin’s moisture with soothing oils and floral extracts while drawing out dirt, oil, and impurities from deep within the pores. This clay-based mask is truly gentle on skin, and won’t irritate even the most sensitive complexions — but it will leave stressed out, acne-prone skin clean, calm, and blemish-free.
Ole Henriksen Hygge HydraClay Detox Mask, $32, available at Sephora.
Even the Big Dipper of breakouts will fade into the background with this futuristic formula, which packs every acne-fighting ingredient you could need — sulfur, bentonite clay, tea tree oil, even the highly underrated zinc PCA — into one small-but-mighty tube.
Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask, $55, available at Sephora.
A good clay mask deep cleanses the pores and battles clogged while washing away the dirt and debris that (partially) causes them in the first place. This top-rated formula does all that and more, leaving skin soothed, hydrated, and bright without any irritation. You don’t always get what you pay for, but this is one splurge that’s worth every cent — all 12,500 of them.
RéVive Masque de Glaise Purifying Clay Mask, $125, available at Nordstrom.
At first glance, you might not think this overnight mask will do much for breakouts. But it has soothing and healing ingredients that help quell inflammation, while using potent AHAs to chemically exfoliate skin and degunk pores. Like the name states, there's also watermelon extract — which doesn't just give the bouncy formula its millennial pink color, but also calms irritation and hydrates the skin.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, $45, available at Sephora.
This mud mask absorbs oil and fights breakouts with salicylic acid and charcoal. Chamomile and tomato extracts soothe red, inflamed skin.
Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask, $15.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Related Video:
Oily-skinned folks can rejoice, because this clay-packed mask will suck up every last bit of grease without making your skin feel the slightest bit dry. Plus, it contains antibacterial tea tree oil to zap stubborn zits.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
