When Kendall Jenner attended the 2018 Golden Globes with Vogue in January (where she clapped back at her acne critics), she shared on Twitter she was “honored and humbled" to attend an event with such an uplifting theme for women. “My eyes were opened and my heart is full seeing all of the men and women who were part of this vital change,” she wrote. “I too stand with all the women of #TimesUp.”
Now, the model is opening up in her Vogue April cover story about #MeToo, the movement started by activist Tarana Burke that was further amplified on Twitter by actress Alyssa Milano. People began sharing their own sexual harassment stories on social media late last year using the hashtag #MeToo following the growing number of women coming forward their own experiences within their respective industries. Modeling, of course, is no exception.
“Luckily, I haven’t been put into a situation like that ever in my life,” Jenner tells Vogue. “I’ve heard about it for so long, I get it. I can try and understand it.” She continued: “I think that it’s so powerful that, in a time that’s so . . . shitty, for lack of a better word . . . it’s just really cool and empowering to see a bunch of women come together and say we’re not going to stand for this —we’re not taking it lightly; we are going full force. That’s what I find so inspiring.”
Recently, we noticed cold brew-flavored foods had become the latest trend within a trend. We were delighted but not all that surprised by the introduction of foods like cold brew ice cream and cold brew chocolate bars. Coffee ice cream has long been a staple in freezer sections. And, thanks to classic drinks like the mocha, we're well-aware that coffee and chocolate pair nicely together. This morning, however, we found out about another new cold brew product, and it's one we never saw coming. Apothic Wines just announced it's introducing a cold brew coffee-infused red wine blend called Apothic Brew.
The Apothic Brew announcement explains that it was a cold brew lover who came up with the idea for this unexpected combination of drinks. A winemaker at the company is responsible for the creation. "Last year during the long hours of harvest, I joined the cold brew craze myself. Quickly, I realized that many of the characteristics in cold brew coffee and red wine naturally complement each other," Juergenson explained.
Shortly after the winemaker had her cold brew epiphany, the Apothic team started experimenting with different red wine blends. Eventually, they ended up making one that married red fruit notes with subtle mocha flavors. This blend became the Apothic Brew.
Though Apothic Brew features two separate flavors we love, we were a little skeptical of coffee-infused wine since we usually drink a glass of wine to unwind toward the end of the day. Turns out, though, we don't have to worry about it wiring us up. Apothic Wines' website says that each bottle of the new cold brew red blend contains less caffeine than a standard cup of decaf coffee.
Apothic Brew will officially hit store shelves in April, but keep in mind that it's a small-batch release, which means it might be hard to track down. If you do get your hands on a bottle, Apothic recommends enjoying it at room temperature, like most red wines, or slightly chilled, like a cup of cold brew.
You know you're a '90s kid if you can still recite all of the lyrics to "Under the Sea" like it's 1989. And if you've done so, then do not pretend you didn't drape a red T-shirt around your head as an impromptu Ariel wig at some point in time. Even though we'll never turn down a Little Mermaid binge sesh, we've got some new real-life mermaids to look to for hair inspiration these days.
Recently, we've seen tons of celebs all rocking long, glossy "mermaid" waves that somehow merge casual beach vibes with the spirit of the seventies. "2018 will be the year of texture," celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan tells us. "Expect to see a lot more fun looks with waves, curls, and natural hair this year!" And Hollywood's already gotten a head start. See how the Kardashians, Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj, and more are riding this wave.
For definition like J.Lo's, Marjan uses a 1-inch GHD curling iron to create ringlets in alternate directions. She sprays R & Co.'s Viscous Hairspray as a finishing touch, then uses a flat iron to relax the curl a bit.
Photo: Via @jlo.
However, the true key to undoing your waves artfully (as modeled on Demi Lovato) is lightly back brushing each section, per Marjan's instruction.
Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage.
For a wet look like Kourtney Kardashian's, scrunch in a sea salt spray (pick one that's right for your texture here)...
Photo: Via @kourtneykardash.
... Or just get your hair wet at the beach, like Duckie Thot did.
Laverne Cox usually opts for blonde curls, but for a recent photoshoot with We The Urban, she gave a "a different visual vibe" with wet, bronde waves.
Photo: Via @lavernecox.
You don't always have to use lots of heat to set your spirals. If you've already been blessed with curls (or have wavy extensions, like Nicki Minaj), spritz a liberal amount of shine spray and let your texture flourish.
Photo: Via @nickiminaj.
Blake Lively is here to prove that even the beach wave can fall somewhere between throwback and modern. It looks like the actress is following the paths of Olivia Munn, Emma Stone, and Jennifer Lawrence, and embracing the perm, or at least a faux version. Thanks to hairstylist Rod Ortega, Lively didn't actually have to commit to the tight ringlets of decades past; instead, she opted for a piece-y look that would work for an island vacay or the disco.
Photo: Chelsea Lauren/WWD/REX/Shutterstock.
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For someone who pays about as much attention to "rules" as Donald Trump in front of a teleprompter, even I have a few strict guidelines I follow faithfully: never, ever take the tequila shot, no open-mouth kissing in the morning, and hold the oil unless there's bread involved.
Now, I'm not completely oblivious to how hydrating and glow-inducing oils can be, but when I think about slathering one on my face or hair, the slick, greasy texture stops me every time. Only until recently, when my therapist advised I push myself out of my comfort zone once a day for a week, did I finally consider breaking a rule. (She probably intended for me to do something a little more emotionally challenging, but... baby steps.)
My face after using the oil for one week.
My mini experiment was made 10x easier knowing my elixir of choice was by Kevyn Aucoin, a makeup brand I've used and loved for years. But I'd be a liar if I said it wasn't also because the oil is just so... pretty. The pale pink liquid comes in three phases: squalane oil, highlighting mica, and water. Given its built-in illuminating properties, and because I rarely (read: never) wear highlighter, I decided to add a drop into my foundation each morning.
Then, something amazing happened: I barely noticed it was there. There was no greasy residue left on my fingers. My combination skin didn't look like one big oil spill at the end of the day like I had expected. And my face had the most amazing natural glow to it — like I had just come back from a tropical vacation (when I really just trudged through the New York City nor-easter). Maybe, just maybe, I've misjudged facial oils all along. I think I'll take that tequila shot now.
Kevyn Aucoin The Neo-Elixir Weightless Beauty Oil, $52, available at Net-A-Porter.
Celebrities love bizarre and freaky beauty treatments. Kendall Jenner likes tiny fish chomping at her callused feet. Gwyneth Paltrow enjoys being stung by bees. Selena Gomez bakes inside a human burrito (a.k.a. an infrared heat wrap). But all those things pale in comparison to Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett 's go-to: the "penis facial."
Now, let's be very clear here: This is not the kind of penis facial you're imagining — it doesn't involve any semen. Instead, it centers around foreskin, an ingredient that's a lot more potent and controversial in the beauty world.
Blanchett recently revealed to Vogue Australia that she and Bullock frequently received this treatment while filming what we assume was Ocean's 8 in New York City last year. "[We] saw this facialist in New York, Georgia Louise, and she gives what we call the penis facial," Blanchett said. "It’s something – I don’t know what it is, or whether it’s just cause it smells a bit like sperm – there’s some enzyme in it so Sandy refers to it as the penis facial."
Louise, the mastermind behind this A-list service, normally delivers it to her famous clientele inside her New York atelier, but she refers to it in more polite terms as the EGF (epidermal growth factor) facial. The growth factor used in this case is foreskin — harvested and extracted from the stem cells of a Korean newborn's circumcised foreskin. It's potent stuff that encourages skin cells to turn over rapidly, so it's used for its brightening, tightening, and wound-healing properties, but not everyone is sold. Anti-circumcision activists, for one, are not fans, and most experts, though they acknowledge the immediate skin benefits, say there is just not enough research yet on the long-term safety of prolonged use of growth factors.
Sadly, if you want to live like a star and try the treatment, it'll set you back at least $650, but there's always SkinMedica's TNS Essential Serum (which utilizes neonatal foreskin) and BioEffect's EGF Serum (a barley-derived formula). Or you could just go big and invest in some the sheep placenta moisturizer instead.
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: an engineer working in tech who makes $122,000 per year and spends part of their paycheck this week on granola. (You can also read their interview about living in the car, here.)
Occupation: Engineer Industry: Tech Age: 25 Location: Mountain View, CA Salary: $122,000 Annual Bonus: $21,500. (Varies based on performance.) Equity: $44,500 (Vests over four years.) Paycheck (2x/month): $2,440, after tax deductions; life, dental and vision insurance, and 401(k), IRA, and HSA contributions. Gender Identity: Agender
Monthly Expenses Rent: $0. (I live in my car. My workplace has everything I need, including showers, laundry facilities, and internet.) Student Loan Payments: $1,800. (My parents paid for my undergraduate by refinancing their mortgage, and now I'm paying them back. $46,850 left!) Phone: $225. (I'm on a family plan with my parents.) Netflix: $11. (My parents use this as well.) Amazon Prime: $9. Health Insurance: $0. (It's covered by work.) Dental Insurance: $9 Vision Insurance: $4 Life Insurance: $18 401(k): $1,542. (My employer matches 50%.) IRA: $458 HSA: $204. (My employer contributes $1,000/year.) Savings: I keep $10,000 in a money market account and keep my checking account between $1,000-$3,000, investing in index funds when it goes above that. Index Funds: $5,200. (I have a three-fund lazy portfolio.) Patreon: $31. (Mostly webcomic artists.) 501(c)(3) Donations: $500. (My employer matches $6,000/year.) Other Donations: Last year it averaged to $175/month, and this year I've budgeted $250/month. Money Experiments: $1,000 Hen Harbor Sponsorship: $10
Additional Expenses Car Insurance: $260, paid every six months
Day One
8 a.m. — I wake up to my partner calling me for our morning call. I'm terrible at waking up and have once (or twice…) missed an important work meeting due to sleeping in, so my partner has started calling me in the mornings before work.
8:30 a.m. — I make sure I look fairly presentable for work in the office bathroom and then grab a coffee and a nectarine from the café. (All the food on campus at my workplace is free.) When I get back to my desk, I start looking into nearby animal sanctuaries to visit for Presidents' Day with my partner since we both have the day off.
10:30 a.m. — Sell my old rice cooker to a coworker for $60. I couldn't bear to part with it after I moved into my car but it's been collecting dust ever since.
12 p.m. — My partner emails me a link to an article about Ariana Grande visiting PreetiRang Sanctuary, so we're both sold on visiting there. I send the sanctuary a tour request and cross my fingers!
1 p.m. — I donate $500 to Figure Skating in Harlem, an organization for girls of color, and their sister program, Figure Skating in Detroit, as part of my skating-themed money experiment for this month. I skated when I was younger, and it wasn't until I took up figure skating as an adult (and had to pay for my own skates and lessons) that I understood how expensive it was.
1:30 p.m. — I bike to a café at work for lunch. They have vegan chocolate cupcakes (yum!) and I grab two for later, plus vegan pad Thai. I eat a cupcake before biking back.
2 p.m. — Back at my desk and starting my Money Diary. I actually just found out about Money Diaries yesterday and initially thought I would write one in the nebulous future when my life would be more interesting, but then I reconsidered. Why not now?
4 p.m. — Eat the other chocolate cupcake.
5 p.m. — I check my company's stock price and it has dropped quite a bit. The trading window for employees is currently open and I have a lot of vested shares I want to sell, but I'll wait until the price (hopefully) goes up again. During my first few years at this job, I didn't look at my shares at all. I didn't really know what it all meant and was too lazy and intimidated to figure it out. It wasn't until last year that I realized I should be selling my shares!
5:15 p.m. — I sponsor a hen residing at Hen Harbor, an animal sanctuary I've visited before. She was rescued from an urban flock of backyard hens, where she assumed the role of the rooster and started crowing. A gender non-conforming chicken! I make my monthly $10 payment.
8 p.m. — Finish my Duolingo session for the day. (I'm trying to learn Spanish and Vietnamese.) Tôi hạnh phúc!
8:30 p.m. — A friend and I share our weekly roundup of articles we found interesting and include a line about writing a Money Diary this week: "If we hate capitalism and debt, and living in a world where we need money to survive, we have to learn to talk about it in order to change it." I insert a GIF of Rob Bliss protesting the FCC's vote to end net neutrality by biking extremely slowly in the middle of the street. It makes me laugh and cry at the same time.
10:30 p.m. — I go to bed in my car.
Daily Total: $0
Day Two
7:30 a.m. — Morning wake-up call! My partner and I talk a little about a podcast episode we both listened to, The Libertarian Ideology of Bitcoin.
8:15 a.m. — I take a shower at the gym and try to stretch my ear holes to the next gauge, but it feels like a bigger size difference than previous times. I give my ears a rest and try again in a week.
9 a.m. — I get an email from PreetiRang Sanctuary saying that they're booked for February and another email from Critical Resistance with the new issue of The Abolitionist. I donate $15, plus a bit extra since it's through Network for Good, as part of my monthly donations.
9:30 a.m. — Get oatmeal before the café closes!
10:30 a.m. — A friend I know through volunteering emailed about a free workshop for women and non-binary coders. I register!
11:45 p.m. — I bike to a café on campus where you can make your own sandwich. (Food on campus is free.) I make two and grab vegan chocolate chip cookies before biking back to my desk.
12:30 p.m. — Time for my aerial silks class. Most exercise classes at work are also free, and this is one of them! I haven't exercised in a few weeks because I got sick and then got my period (ugh), so I feel a little weak. I got good stretches in during that time, though.
2 p.m. — I eat one of the sandwiches and some cookies.
4:30 p.m. — I get on an early shuttle bus to San Francisco for a queer Lunar New Year event planning meeting. I planned to do work on the bus, but like I often do, I fall asleep after half an hour or so. (This shuttle is free for full-time employees.)
5:45 p.m. — Traffic isn't bad today! I get a surprise call from my partner and we talk en route to our respective meetings.
6 p.m. — Event planning meeting! Dinner is provided and we eat food from the venue where we're considering hosting the event.
8 p.m. — I bike to the Caltrain station ($7.70) and head back home, where I do my Duolingo lesson for the day (¡mañana es el sábado!) and start watching Altered Carbon on Netflix. I like Netflix's series because they have audio descriptions — additional narration that describes what's going on visually, which is super important for people who are blind or have low vision. (And I don't need to look at the screen!) $7.70
10 p.m. — I get back to the office, eat late-night cereal, and start watching Queer Eye. I'm so bad at sleeping at a reasonable time on the weekends.
Daily Total: $7.70
Day Three
11:30 a.m. — Lazy morning today; I stayed up so late last night watching Netflix. I get ready for the day in the office bathroom and eat my sandwich from yesterday.
1:30 p.m. — Bike to the dentist to get a crown on my back molar. I had an emergency root canal last year and finally scheduled a follow-up appointment. My dental insurance covers half the cost and I put it on my credit card (1.5% cash back). I'll submit a reimbursement form from my HSA later. $550.20
3:30 p.m. — When I get back to the office, my dad calls me because I asked for the account login to our family phone account. I need to change the current auto-pay credit card because I want to cancel the card I'm currently paying with. It's the first credit card I ever got and the phone bill is all I use it for now, but it's been on auto-pay for forever and I haven't been able to log in! I realize I still have $4.62 in reward points on the card, so I use it to buy a book I've been wanting to read, Book of Cord by Leona Chen, using points through Amazon. I'll pay off the balance and cancel the card later. $12.82
5:15 p.m. — I bike to the Caltrain station to head into the city ($7.70). I'm meeting up with another partner of mine to watch a play called Can I Hold You: An Aromantic Comedy. We're both asexual, so we're excited and hopeful that the play will be good! $7.70
6:30 p.m. — I bike to Rainbow Grocery to get snacks and food for my partner because I have spare time. I get blueberries, vegan chocolate chip cookies, granola, chocolate covered coconut chews, and sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves. $18.02
7:30 p.m. — Bike to the theater and get our seats. The tickets are free, but they're accepting donations for the SF Mime Troupe and Asexuality SF, the ace meet-up group in the Bay Area, so I donate $20. My partner arrives, we find seats, and the play starts!
9 p.m. — My partner and I walk to a café and I buy juice so that we have a reason to be there. We talk about the play (we both enjoyed it) and what's been going on in our lives in the last few months. We don't meet in person very often, but it's a pleasure when we do. $4
11 p.m. — I bike to the home of a couple of friends nearby to drop off phone privacy screens for them. It's late and cold and they're about to go to sleep; they invite me to stay over and if I had planned better, it would've been easier to do that since I have a few events in East Bay tomorrow. But I left my things at home and already planned to go back. We say goodnight and I bike to the Caltrain.
11:30 p.m. — I get to the train station and hurriedly finish my Duolingo for the day. My streak continues! I fall asleep after a while, but not before setting an alarm so I don't miss my stop. $7.70
1:30 a.m. — I get back to the office, toss my bag into my chair, and immediately go to bed. I should've brushed my teeth (that's probably why I needed a root canal in the first place) but I'm so tired!
Daily Total: $600.44
Day Four
12:45 p.m. — I jolt out of bed because I've majorly overslept! It was a bit colder last night and I was enjoying the warmth of my bed this morning. I shower at the gym and toss Clif Bars in my bag for later.
1:15 p.m. — Bike to the Caltrain station to head up to East Bay. I was going to go to a music rehearsal, but it was just canceled. (This flu season is really kicking people's butts.) This means I have to lug around my instrument, but I also have a few extra hours to get food for a study group later and finish up the study group reading! I eat a Clif Bar. $5.45
2:30 p.m. — I transfer to BART and finish my Duolingo for the day. (Tiếng Việt rất khó.) $5.10
3:30 p.m. — I bike to Vegan Donut Gelato to get potluck goodies. I buy a dozen donut holes and donuts to share (sugar-dusted, rainbow sprinkles, and chocolate) and sit outside to finish the readings. We're studying the history of China, starting from the social movements in the early 1900s until the present, and how it impacts those of us in the diaspora today. $13.12
5 p.m. — Study group time! It's really great to hear everyone's different perspectives and stories, along with what they thought about the text we read. Everyone brought yummy food, too. We're meeting at LOL (Liberating Ourselves Locally), a POC-led makerspace, and we all chip in for rental costs. $5
7:15 p.m. — I bike to BART and only have to wait a few minutes for the train! $5.10
8:30 p.m. — Dash up and down the stairs with my bike in time to make Caltrain. I call my partner to catch up on both of our weekends since they're visiting their family out of town. $5.45
9:45 p.m. — Stop by Safeway on my way home to get glutinous rice flour for the Lunar New Year potluck in two days, but they don't have any. I have an interesting conversation with a stranger in the baking aisle, though.
10:30 p.m. — I get back to the office and start laundry. I've run out of pants! My workplace has washers and dryers and provides laundry detergent as well. It's late, but I make tea, eat a donut, and catch up on emails.
1 a.m. — I finish my laundry, fold my clothes, and go to bed.
Daily Total: $39.22
Day Five
8:30 a.m. — Morning wake-up call, even though my partner is on vacation! They're so sweet, despite me being so, so sleepy.
9:30 a.m. — I get coffee, go through articles in my RSS feed, and do work.
10:30 a.m. — Eat the last donut from yesterday. I love donuts.
12 p.m. — I go through my non-work emails. I helped design anti-deportation flyers last year for some friends and they emailed me for the base images so other organizations in their network could put their own text on top. I export the images and send them along. I'm currently helping out with flyers for community-based solutions to police, so I send an email asking for a few design clarifications. I also start a document to write down the craft ideas my partner and I have for TGNC Rights and Empowerment Day. An organization we both volunteer for asked for help setting up an arts and crafts table.
1 p.m. — I bike to a work café for lunch and get risotto and tapioca pudding (and some extra for later!).
4 p.m. — I go to ballet class at work, which is also free. I move like a graceless animal, but it's fun.
5:30 p.m. — Drive to a meeting about labor activism in tech. It's rush hour and traffic is awful, but we're meeting in Cupertino, which is a bit too far to bike to and not close enough to public transportation and shuttle stops. It's fun to meet everyone and discuss possible action items to work on over the next few months.
8:30 p.m. — I stop by 99 Ranch to get glutinous rice flour on my way home. It's on sale! I get a bit of ginger for the sweet soup and tofu snacks to munch on, too. $2.99
9 p.m. — I get back to the office and eat my lunch leftovers for a late dinner. I finish my Duolingo for the day and surf the Internet.
1 a.m. — Bedtime.
Daily Total: $2.99
Day Six
8:45 a.m. — Morning wake-up call! We're both tired, so it's a short talk. I listen to my morning podcasts in bed because it's cozy and I'm lazy this morning.
9:30 a.m. — I get coffee and convince myself to do work.
12:30 p.m. — Bike to a work café to get lunch: vegetables, noodles, lots of garlic bread (yum), and sorbet for dessert.
1:30 p.m. — I go to donate blood. I'm lazy, so I only donate when there's a drive at work, which is only a few times a year. But I cough while I'm in the bloodmobile and the donor technician is suspicious that I'm still sick from my cold a couple weeks ago and turns me away. I don't want to make anyone sick but it's a little frustrating. It was the first and only time I've coughed this week!
4 p.m. — I get on an early bus to Berkeley for the Lunar New Year potluck, do work for a while, and then finish my Duolingo lesson for the day.
6 p.m. — My dad calls me as I'm getting off the bus. My mom has been applying for different jobs for the past few months, and she got an offer today! My dad tells me to call her, so we say bye and I call my mom while I bike to my friend's place. She's excited and has another interview in a couple of days.
6:30 p.m. — I get to my friend's place and say bye to my mom. We start cooking! Another person also brought tang yuan to make, so we have an abundance of dessert — but we don't have any vegetables to eat except for the scallions in the scallion pancakes! We make a lot of starchy and fried foods. Probably should've coordinated who was bringing what, nutrition-wise. Everything's delicious, though! We practice our Mandarin (we're all heritage language learners) and try to remember New Year's stories from our childhoods. 新年快樂!
9 p.m. — I bike to my partner's place now that they're back in town. Yay, cuddles!
Daily Total: $0
Day Seven
7 a.m. — Time to wake up. I just want to cuddle!
7:30 a.m. — I say bye to my partner, bike to the shuttle stop, and get on the bus to go to work. I listen to my usual morning podcasts and fall asleep before the first one even finishes!
9:30 a.m. — I get to the office and get coffee along with two halves of vegan donuts, a special office treat for Valentine's Day.
12 p.m. — I set a limit order to sell half of my current vested company shares. The price has been rebounding, so I'm hoping it'll go through before the end of the trading window.
12:30 p.m. — I bike to two cafés: one to get japchae for later (my favorite dish), and another one further away for noodle soup. It works out well because I need to stop by someone's desk on the other side of campus anyway.
3 p.m. — I go to aerial silks class. I'm feeling stronger! I take a shower at the gym afterward.
4:30 p.m. — My limit order went through. The stock price has been increasing faster than I thought it would –now I wish I set the limit for higher! My shares sold for $21,400, and I put in another limit order for half of the rest at an even higher price.
7 p.m. — I finish my Duolingo for the day and start putting stickers on my bike. I bought a bunch of cute stickers recently but then got too lazy to put them all on. There are a lot and I only put about a fifth on before I get tired. An old bike of. mine was stolen a year ago and it was devastating. I'm hoping all the stickers will deter any bike thieves.
10 p.m. — I start watching The Mortified Guide on Netflix but I'm so tired! I go to bed and finish the episode under my covers.
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.
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There's a new mega-player in the plus-size market that wants to disrupt the industry. Simply Be, a prominent U.K.-based size-inclusive brand, is turning its eye toward the U.S. with a global rebrand. It's here to abolish "token" curve models and celebrate the average woman, who just so happens to come in above-average retail sizing.
Simply Be's been present in the U.S. for the last six years (it was founded in the U.K. in 1999), but it's listening to its audience and pivoting to include more of what they need in an effort to grab more customers. After noticing an uptick in younger consumers, the brand's new direction focuses on young adult women, bringing with it U.S.-exclusive collections, monthly high-fashion-inspired campaigns featuring models that shoppers can relate to, and friendly pop-up shops (more on that later).
Leading the powerhouse global rebrand team is Topshop alum Rich Storer. Now the vice president of marketing for Simply Be’s U.S. team, he has an impressive resume that includes heading up global brand communications for the high-street favorite; a stint as the executive fashion and beauty director for the photographer Rankin and his bi-annual magazine, Hunger; and leading multiple award-winning global repositioning campaigns for a breadth of popular name brands. If you're going to relaunch your brand, he's the right guy to bring on board.
Simply Be’s relaunch includes a series of stateside-shot campaigns starring a budding group of young curve models. They show both upcoming and existing product in conceptualized pool-side shots and a Coachella-inspired lookbook. They also represent the brand's first venture into aspirational plus-size imagery, proving size hardly trumps just how "high-fashion" curve models and curve sizing can look.
Photo: James Mountford Courtesy of Simply Be.
The clothes, in short, are good. They're not new, they're not unexpected, they're not here to break Instagram. But, as Storer will tell you, that's kind of the point. "There is an outcry of girls who are saying 'Please give us something younger, fresher, and a bit cooler.' Like, 'We want something cropped, don’t cover us all up,' or, 'We want the same clothes that every other girl has.' ... We need to be the company that supplies what they’re asking for." It's trying to remedy what most plus-size markets haven't been doing and give shoppers all the options women see from straight-size brands. Simply Be has already been providing at least some of those options: With a massive selection ranging in size from 6 to 28, it's got its product bases covered. (The biggest issue is knowing what to buy.)
Storer says that the feedback he's received since joining the company has resulted in one resounding response: Plus-size women often feel uncomfortable shopping. "When you feel uncomfortable shopping — first thing, you’re not shopping," he says. "But you're also asking, 'Well, how do I style this?' because you’re not seeing [images] that are telling you what you could look like as a size 26, or as an 18. That’s because you’re flooded in the media with everybody that’s a size 0 to a 10, and it stops there. Then you’re going to tell yourself, 'I don’t know how to dress my body.'
"What I really want to do is show them you can wear it just the same."
To drive that home, Simply Be's site relaunch will include a shopping experience where looks and images tied to the corresponding campaigns are styled out for you. As opposed to having to page-by-page search the site for what to buy, shoppers will be provided recommendations, hopefully making their shopping experience not only easier, but enjoyable. Many straight-size retailers provide a similar option on their sites; providing this on a size-inclusive site and taking the stress out of the search process is one more way Simply Be is merely trying to match, effort for effort, the shopping experience other women already get.
As for animating the brand's new approach to shopping, Simply Be will also roll out pop-up shops across the country this summer. To create a safe space in which plus-size women can shop, Simply Be is enlisting a group of women in varying sizes to assist shoppers with finding their fit and style. “You’ll be able to digitally shop and try on clothes within our store in an environment that you'll feel safe and comfortable in," Storer explains.
Storer admits, sweating amid a long afternoon of shooting in the desert sun, that his deep motivation transcends beyond just a new website redesign. “I want to create a group of curve supers, and you can write that down.” And he's well on his way. Simply Be recently locked down two budding models to front its global campaigns and projects through the next year: Natalie Nootenb00m, whose sultry looks you may recognize from her familial ties to model/aunt Devon Aoki and DJ/uncle Steve Aoki; and Sarina Nowak, most recently spotted as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and in a campaign for Khloe Kardashian’s brand Good American.
In aiming to redefine what the average supermodel looks like, Storer stirs up the conversation of where a size-inclusive brand's responsibilities lie when it comes to body positivity while remaining as aspirational as the rest of the fashion industry. "If [the customer] is confident in what they’re wearing and they can purchase from us and they can walk out the door feeling great, then I think the size conversation kind of gets put to one side because you feel empowered anyway. Clothing is an empowerment."
Simply Be is inclusive, but it's not shying away from the fact that it's still trying to be a fashion-driven brand. What brands reps aren't shy to explain is that it's neither looking to be an inventor of style nor a brand exclusive to plus-size; it’s just trying to bring regular-ass clothes to to regular-ass women. And damn, does the industry need that.
You can catch the rebrand and the new exclusive U.S. collections at SimplyBe.com.
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Have you ever found the perfect sweater, only to get caught between two beautiful shades? Instead of putting yourself through apparel anxiety, why not buy one that offers both colors at the same time? Whether you call it two-tone, bicolor, or colorblocking, the trend is appearing on the runways, in beauty, and even in our homes.
As seen at Roksanda 's spring 2018 presentation, a pink satin gown layered over trousers in red, yellow, or blue is a fresh take on casual elegance. The likes of Céline, Molly Goddard, and Fyodor Golan have also embraced contrasting colors for their spring collections. Where monochromatic black and white has long been the favored twosome, spring style is going beyond basic neutrals to a world of bold combinations. Of all the pairs, pink and red continues to reign supreme; the duo first popped up during fashion week last September and shows no signs of slowing down.
Now, there's a wealth of two-tone treasures out there. Here's some of our favorites.
Sies Marjan Two-tone Strappy Dress, $1,195, available at Kirna Zabete.
Tory Sport Viscose Color-block Sweater, $258, available at Tory Sport.
Attico Pink Chloe 85 Fabric Buckle Strap Mules, $975, available at Browns Fashion.
Glamorous Contrast Block Knit Jumper, $41.87, available at Topshop.
Carven Smocked Two-tone Dress, $990, available at Orchard Mile.
Tibi Delphina Striped Shirred Skirt, $545, available at Tibi.
Marni Shoulder Bag in Dark Eggplant, $2,390, available at Need Supply.
Mango Pleated Bicolor Dress, 169.99, available at Mango.
Staud Joyce Jumpsuit Fuchsia/Ruby Red, $335, available at Staud.
Unravel Project Two-tone Denim Jacket, $910, available at Net-A-Porter.
Alexachung Denim Flat Jean Stitch Espadrille, $255, available at Alexachung.
Versace is to join a growing list of design houses that have announced the ban of fur in future collections. In an interview for The Economist's 1843 magazine, Donatella Versace, the brand's vice president and chief designer said, “Fur? I am out of that. I don’t want to kill animals to make fashion. It doesn’t feel right.” According to WWD, the news came mere hours after fellow Italian brand Furla stated that it was also going fur-free, beginning with its cruise 2019 collection.
At the time of writing, Versace hasn't released an official brand statement confirming the news, but the International Humane Society wasted no time in circulating its joy at her comments. “Versace is a massively influential luxury brand that symbolises excess and glamour, and so its decision to stop using fur shows that compassionate fashion has never been more on trend," stated Claire Bass Executive Director of Humane Society International UK. "Such influential brands turning their backs on cruel fur makes the few designers like Fendi and Burberry who are still peddling fur look increasingly out of touch and isolated.”
Donatella's changing attitude towards fur - previously, the brand has used mink, fox, and raccoon dog fur, with a laser cut fur coat featuring in its fall 2017 offering - could be attributed to the renaissance the brand has experienced over the past year. 2017 was the 20th anniversary of the company's founder, Gianni Versace's death, and she ensured through a series of revivals that his legacy was honored. A reunion of the Supers - Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford - was the highlight of the spring 2018 fashion month calendar, while Donatella's forward-looking vision was seen in Versace's campaign for the same season, which united two generations of models - famous faces of the '90s, like Gisele Bündchen, alongside millennial models Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber.
Following the lead of other influential houses like Gucci and Michael Kors, which both announced it's fur-free stance in the last six months, we can only hope that by the end of 2018, the whole of the industry will have waved goodbye to cruelty in the name of fashion. When faux fur alternatives from brands like Shrimps are offering directional and fabulous pieces without the violent - and frankly, uncool - practice of harming animals, fur looks more and more like an outdated and embarrassing concept the industry should leave behind.
What if we told you that your skin-care routine was about to get blazed? Would you fire up the Hot Pockets? Set the DVR to Planet Earth II? Well, best get those things underway: Soon enough, you'll be adding a whole new host of beauty products laced with CBD — otherwise known as cannabidiol, a natural component of cannabis — to your bathroom shelf, without the concern of the narcotics department knocking on your door.
The pain-relieving properties of the green stuff have been known for centuries, but now, thanks to law tweaks and more relaxed regulations, experts are (re)discovering its skin-care benefits, too.
Using cannabidiol as a topical ingredient isn't a novel concept — in fact, it's quite the opposite. MGC Derma CEO Roby Zomer acknowledges the global and historical use of CBD as a medical substance. "It’s well known that cannabis was being used as a curative herb thousands of years ago, in various cultures," Zomer explains. "From the emperors of China to George Washington, the plant has been part of global history and global health, and has been recognized as a major industry. Even in ancient scriptures and etchings found in Wat Po, in Thailand, one of the birthplaces of Buddhism, there are instructions for usage of cannabis as a skin treatment."
"The ancient Greeks would rub dry cannabis leaves to dress horses' wounds for a speedy recovery," says CBD of London strategy director Samir Juneja. "They also used it to treat inflammation internally and topically, by soaking seeds in warm water and then applying the potent serum to inflamed areas. Queen Victoria used cannabis extracts to relieve pain from menstrual cramps, and Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire got its name from the copious amounts of hemp crops that historically grew there."
Why, then, is the industry getting so excited about CBD now? "Cannabis has become America's latest 'gold rush', the focus of billions of dollars of investment," Cult Beauty co-founder Alexia Inge explains. "As a result of the widespread decriminalization, the scientific community has taken great interest in the various properties of the incredibly versatile plant."
To clarify, nothing about the extract will get you high, per se. "Hemp and marijuana are two popular names for the cannabis plant, but they have very different properties," podiatrist and skin-care expert Margaret Dabbs explains. "Marijuana has high levels of the compound THC, which invokes a high, whereas CBD is derived from hemp and offers the benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects."
With CBD fast becoming the wunderkind of 2018's beauty scene, there's good reason to be excited about the potentially skin-saving ingredient. "Studies have been published demonstrating that cannabinoids are responsible for production of lipids , which play an important role in regulating and treating skin conditions," Zomer says. He explains that they're even more effective when applied topically, because "CBD stimulates activity in the body’s endocannabinoid system, which neutralizes the harmful free radicals that bombard our skin from UV sources." Just like the sun, this UV can cause aging, cancer, and impaired healing, so using CBD can in fact result in healthier, more protected, supple skin.
With new regulations meaning more CBD-infused brands will get the chance to land in stores soon, it's time to get acquainted with cannabis as the answer to all of your problems. Skin-care problems, that is — we couldn't possibly vouch for its mind-altering benefits...
Micro bangs, baby bangs, whatever you want to call them: They've emerged as the hairstyle of the season, thanks to a handful of celebrities who have sported the statement cut recently. Emma Watson showcased a rough-chopped, inch-long bangs situation at the Oscars, Gigi Hadid wore a powder-pink wig with said bangs at Jeremy Scott's Fall 2018 show, and Michelle Williams was seen on the streets of Paris Fashion Week with side-swept baby bangs. Model and actress Rila Fukushima, who has been known to cut in and grow hers out season after season, also recently transformed her blonde, side-parted hair into a brunette bob with bangs that sit above her brows.
Of course, this isn't the first time micro bangs have been in the spotlight — in fact, they've been seen throughout pop culture for decades, and have been styled by some of the coolest women both IRL and on screen. Audrey Hepburn's layered bangs made way for her scene-stealing square brows, and allowed her doe eyes and cut-glass cheekbones to shine on screen. Audrey Tautou's title character in Amélie also wore her micro bangs soft, her jawline-grazing bob only adding to the whimsicality of her story.
For another movie character with a remarkably similar style, Natalie Portman's micro bangs in Leon accentuated the rock 'n' roll aesthetic of her on-the-run (and, yes, underage) outlaw. Gwen Stefani, too, used her baby bangs in the '90s to add to her alt look (although we highly recommend avoiding her Bindi-wearing cultural appropriation of the same era), while musician Grimes wears her statement fringe framed with long bubblegum-pink hair.
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty ImagesPhoto: Via @hareandbone
We have inspiration aplenty for this hairstyle, but when it's historically been touted by such distinctive-looking women, is there any hope for us mere mortals of wearing it? "If, like Audrey Hepburn, Emma Watson, or Grimes, you're blessed with a heart-shaped face and great cheekbones, and are toying with the idea of baby bangs, I say go for it," says stylist Rob Scott at Larry King's London salon. "You can pull off just about any hairstyle and fringe, long or short. You can wear your baby bangs straight and blunt and with plenty of attitude."
And if our faces err on the side of the moon emoji? "If you don’t have a heart-shaped face but are still drawn to the idea of micro bangs, then approach with a bit more caution. Maybe go for slightly less blunt, softer-textured bangs," Scott advises. "Have your stylist razor cut or chip into the ends to get the look."
Chie Sato, head of education at Taylor Taylor London, says the cut is for everyone. "Whichever face shape and hair texture you have, you can find the perfect one for you by taking care that you balance the face and create harmony," she says. "With a round face you can go for a curve, so it's shorter on the sides and longer in the middle on the nose. It will frame the face because you can see the sides of the forehead and more of the face."
Maintenance-wise, Hare & Bone founder Sam Burnett says it's all dependent on your personal style, but there are products that can help make it as low-effort as possible. "For a more controlled finish, blow-dry with the nozzle directing the air flow down, so it smooths and seals the cuticle. Always prep with a good heat protectant," Burnett says. "For natural styling, simply let it dry naturally, apply an oil to protect and smooth, then finish with salt spray."
Photo: SNAP/REX/Shutterstock
Scott notes that, whether soft or blunt, baby bangs are "always a statement regardless. They should be worn with confidence. You need to work it and own it, and this might mean slightly changing your makeup," he says. "Go stronger with your eye makeup or turn up the volume on your lipstick." Most salons offer free bangs trims, too — meaning once you've taken the plunge, it's straight sailing from there on out.
Unless, of course, you get instant regret. If you're worried it's less Amélie and more Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber, fear not. “First thing to note, there’s always an out," says Burnett. "If you feel it’s not really you, talk to your stylist and they'll be able to help you manage the growing-out process so that you’re happy with your end result that works with your lifestyle. The easiest style to recreate from baby bangs would be the iconic Brigitte Bardot fringe, because as it starts to get longer, you can start to part it and have your stylist tailor and adapt it to your face shape and features." Sato recommends playing around with accessories like grips, scarves and berets until it grows out; either way, you have plenty of options if you decide it's a statement too far. Us? We'll be cutting our baby bangs in come summer, when a few inches off our hair is the perfect antidote to city heat.
Model Teddy Quinlivan came out as transgender last September, and since then she’s used her platform to encourage visibility and acceptance across the fashion industry. She’s been featured in magazine editorials and lookbooks and has walked in hundreds of shows — so many that The Fashion Spot’s spring 2018 diversity report attributed her New York Fashion Week casting to the boost in transgender runway appearances, from 18 to 45. “Selling super expensive clothing to rich people is fun,” Quinlivan said during a panel at the Gurls Talk festival with Teen Vogue and Coach on Sunday, British Vogue reports, “but getting to change the world and de-stigmatizing what it means to be transgender is what's really important.”
In addition to breaking down those barriers, she’s speaking out on the fashion industry’s sexual harassment reckoning, sharing she had been sexually assaulted several times. “I've been sexually assaulted at work, outside of work by people I work with, and on a date. There's this sexual assault that happens in the workplace in fashion, and people write it off because it's a creative industry. Because we're creatives, and we're sexually free, your sexual assault doesn't matter... You signed up for it.”
Quinlivan thinks the fashion industry plays a major role in keeping sexual assault quiet. “These people protect each other,” she said. “They do it on a closed set. They do it surrounded by people who will never rat them out.” And it’s hard to speak out when rejecting the inappropriate behavior could inadvertently mean rejecting future jobs. “A lot of times sexual assault does lead to opportunities, which is really sick and terrible and disgusting.”
The model's on-set experience came at the hands of a photographer. “That person was a hero of mine: someone who I looked up to, someone who I admired... I convinced myself that it was OK that he had done that to me, because I was going to get something out of it. When I didn't get [any opportunities], it was a really harsh awakening... I'm disappointed with him, but I was even more disappointed with myself that I let it happen to me. And I decided to take my power back.”
But speaking out is how we ultimately bring change, Quinlivan believes. “I'm telling this story because we can't let it happen anymore. Touching people inappropriately, saying inappropriate things to them, making people feel useless, making them feel like their body is the only thing they have to offer someone, it has to stop. And the way that we stop it is we change the culture. We have this conversation. We demand better.”
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call theRAINN Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Images of the walkout were particularly arresting. Here you had thousands of young people, in many cases not even old enough to vote, demanding that policy makers finally take some action when it comes to gun violence. In some cases, students walked out even after facing opposition from their school's administration. Their message to lawmakers was clear: Enough.
In general, the walkouts across the U.S. lasted for 17 minutes, one for each of the Parkland victims. Most students stood defiantly and in silence, while some staged sit-ins or die-ins as part of the protest.
The National Walkout Day was only the beginning, however. Young people are set to take streets again nationwide for the March for Our Lives on March 24 and another national walkout on April 20, the anniversary of the Columbine shooting.
Ahead, a look at 17 of the most powerful signs from the National Walkout Day.
Khloé Kardashian’s Good American clothing line launched just under two years ago and sold $1 million on its first day. Talk about selling power. Controversies aside, we can’t ignore that Good American is changing the way the fashion industry operates: Thanks to Kardashian and her co-founder, Emma Grede, Nordstrom merchandised the label’s 00-to-24 range together instead of separating the straight sizes from the plus. Now Good American is looking to disrupt the way pregnant women shop for denim.
On Thursday, Good American introduced its first maternity denim line, Good Mama, for mothers-to-be and new moms. According to a press release, it's “designed to offer sexy, great-fitting denim without sacrificing style or comfort, leaving women to focus on what matters most — being a good mama!” according to a press release. The range offers two styles in sizes 00 through 24: the Honeymoon ($149), for the growing months at the beginning of a pregnancy, available in mid- or low rise; and the Home Stretch ($179), best to wear toward the end of pregnancy because of its ultra-soft belly cocoon.
“The maternity market, it’s just not as cute and fun as you want it to be, especially when you are a fashion girl,” Kardashian said in a video announcing the brand’s latest drop, which just so happens to be timed with the pregnancy of her first child with boyfriend Tristan Thompson. Click ahead to shop.
On Tuesday, Refinery29 reported that Leslie Gibson, a Republican candidate for House District 57 in Maine, called 18-year-old student activist Emma González a "skinhead lesbian" on Twitter and questioned her identity as a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. We also reported that he was running unopposed.
Well, not anymore. Eryn Gilchrist, a 28-year-old Bates College graduate who lives in Greene, ME, and works for a medical device company, filed her paperwork on Thursday — the deadline for Democratic and Republican candidates to file in the state. The election will be held on November 6, 2018.
According to the local Sun Journal, the Democrat had never anticipated running for office, but she felt so "horrified and embarrassed" by Gibson's statements that she decided to throw her hat into the ring.
"I never thought I would run for office, and I was perfectly content with just remaining a member of the community, but after reading Mr. Gibson’s comments I thought that the people of Greene and Sabattus deserved a representative who will respect people and try to work through their differences to make our lives better," Gilchrist said in a statement issued by the Maine Democratic Party. "That’s what I pledge to do if I am lucky enough to be elected, and I look forward to working hard over the next several months to earn the trust and support of people throughout my community."
"We could not be happier to have Eryn run," Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon said in a statement. "She is a concerned member of her community who cares about the future of her neighbors — and, like many other Democrats across Maine, she's now stepping up to help them." The Lewiston Democratic Committee has set up a contribution page for Gilchrist, and the campaign now has a Twitter account.
After Gibson's tweet, Democrats immediately called for a challenger to him on account of his statements.
Secretly considering a run for State House Rep. in #Maine’s 57th district? Let #LeslieGibson’s tweets be your tipping point- because he’s the only declared candidate. (D/R party candidates must have their signatures submitted by Thursday). #mepoliticshttps://t.co/Xuw2g4SLfQ
David Hogg, another Parkland, FL, student activist, tweeted, "Hey friends in Maine! Who wants to run against this hate-loving politician? ... I don’t care what party. JUST DO IT."
Looks like Gilchrist answered the call.
Hey freinds in Maine! Who wants to run against this hate loving politician he's is running UNOPPOSED RUN AGAINST HIM I don't care what party JUST DO IT. https://t.co/vRR7p1ZHKf
Victoria Beckham might not be ready to go on tour with her former bandmates (cue one solo tear for the Spice Girls reunion that could've been), but she is ready to expand her beauty empire sooner rather than later.
In January, David Beckham revealed he would launch his own grooming and skin-care line for men in collaboration with L'Oréal, and since Victoria was basically the catalyst for her husband's entire collection, we were hoping she'd dip her toes into the skin-care category, too. Luckily, we didn't have to wait too long. Last week, the designer announced on a Facebook Live that she is developing her very-own skin-care range — and possibly even perfume!
Although Beckham offered few details, we suspect one thing: Getting her glow won't come cheap, seeing as her current nine-piece routine costs $964. She added that she's going in with the same mission she had while creating her makeup collection in partnership with Estée Lauder: "As a women, I want to make the things that I need in my life, the things that are missing." Since she's using the gaps in her personal medicine cabinet as inspiration, she's taking the formulations very seriously; she mentioned on the live broadcast that the products would be "very scientific."
We're excited, but hardly surprised. These days, most celebrities have tried their hand at launching their own beauty brands — and we're not just talking about the Kardashians and Jenners. Last year, Rihanna's Fenty Beauty raised the bar on beauty lines created by Hollywood's brightest, and by the end of 2018, we can expect launches from Jennifer Lopez, Serena Williams, and Bella Thorne. But we doubt Beckham's concerned — she's always been the poshest, after all.
Modern Money Mattersis Refinery29 and Chase 's exploration of what the modern American family really looks like — from starting a family to moving — and what it actually costs to make it all happen. 83% of women aged 25+ who plan to have children are postponing starting a family to focus on their career, compared to 79% of men. To find out more about how women are taking control of their financial power, click here.
When I was growing up, I desperately wanted to be a journalist. I idolized the female anchors I’d see on TV and dreamed of wearing suits, traveling, and asking people questions. Part of this dream also included a desire to serve people and lay a solid financial foundation for myself.
With a career direction in mind, I decided early on that I didn’t want to get married or have children until I was at least 30 years old. I rationalized that my 20s had to be a time for focusing on career growth and building financial wealth. While I ended up pivoting to pursue a degree in education and took a position as a kindergarten teacher after graduation, my decision to put my career before a family remained a major priority.
I rationalized that my 20s had to be a time for focusing on career growth and building financial wealth.
I signed my first teacher contract in 2004, with a gross income of $24,000. To save as much money as possible, I decided to continue living at home with my parents. I’m still thankful for the decision — it kept me grounded and made it easier to pay for grad school (that and a $24,000 student loan). I finished up my degree within a year.
Illustrated by Assa Ariyoshi.
When I was 27, I met someone. I wasn’t quite as old as I planned to be when thinking about marriage, but I was seriously in love and decided to go for it.
Immediately following the "I dos," the questions about having kids began. But I was firm in my decision. I still had career plans and wanted to become a principal of an elementary school before my own kids ever came into the picture. My husband was on board with the plan — he understood the importance of building both of our careers as well as financial wealth.
So we made the next four years full of memories and experiences. We traveled, enjoyed our financial and physical freedom, and, most importantly, I was able to climb the career ladder in the field of education — reaching my goal of becoming a principal and putting in long hours to do so. I knew it would all come to a halt if we interrupted our lives with children.
At the age of 32, my mind began to change. I started to envy women with babies. I had also already reached many levels of career success: I had two graduate degrees in curriculum and leadership, had become a school administrator, and had increased my salary by $50,000. My husband was earning a six-figure salary, so we were financially healthy. When we made the decision to try to get pregnant, it happened quickly — we had a baby girl a year later.
Illustrated by Assa Ariyoshi.
As much work as our little girl was, we were infatuated and knew immediately that we wanted to have another. Three years later, we got pregnant again, with another beautiful baby girl. But even with two kids in the picture, I wouldn’t change my career timeline for anything.
Even with two kids in the picture, I wouldn’t change my career timeline for anything.
With plenty of milestones and financial security under my belt, I decided to return to my early dream of working in journalism. Although I still had my job as a principal, I started a blog as a place to house my thoughts and build my résumé, focusing on like-minded women with a desire to balance life with beauty, fashion, and fitness. It’s been about a year since I started blogging, and it’s been an incredible experience that’s afforded me new opportunities for networking and writing.
Today, daily errands, housework, and managing the girls' routines is the norm. My husband and I have relied on daycares for our childcare over the past few years, which has certainly been expensive. Thankfully, though, due to our prior saving, we've been able to buy a home and still plan for retirement.
I feel confident in the path I chose for myself from an early age — it’s benefitted me, my family, and our financial situation immensely. We now live with a growing income and are debt-free, plus I have the opportunity to write every day.
My choices early on began with a passion to serve others and a will to carve a financial path that would allow me to have options, and I hope to raise my daughters with the same goals of pursuing their dreams, working hard, and living a debt-free life.
Jennifer Bailey is a lifestyle blogger at The Red Dress. Her blog features beauty, fashion, and fitness focused on the real woman that is driven by her dreams.
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Tamar Braxton's faithful fans, otherwise known as the Tamartians, love their leader for three big reasons: her voice (she's the sister of Toni, Traci, Trina, and Towanda after all), her very extra personality, and her wigs. She typically goes for really long, blond pieces and even has a room dedicated to her hair. That's why fans were shocked when Braxton shared a March 14 Instagram post of herself in the salon chair... shaving her head.
The Bluebird of Happiness singer didn't just get a cute little trim. Her stylist took a pair of pink clippers and buzzed her client's head all the way down, while Braxton jammed to Bobby Brown. Of course, the haters did what they do best, and mocked Braxton for her decision. Some said that it was a sign of a breakdown. Others suggested that the transformation was pegged to Braxton's public divorce from her former manager, Vince Herbert. But Braxton cleared the air herself and let everyone know that she big chop was her prerogative... and there's nothing wrong with that.
"I'm over feeling captive to a wig, weave, people, people’s comments & opinions hell...even my OWN feelings!" she captioned a subsequent selfie. "WE can choose to stop these things from having the power and victory over us!! And for me, that starts TODAY."
For every hater, Braxton — who looks amazing with her big chop, for the record — received plenty of love from her adoring flock. The comments under her video and selfie contain stories from individuals who've shed the weight of their hair and haven't looked back since. "When I let go of baggage (weighing bout 175lbs) that was freeing," yevette8433 said. "But I too got a buzz cut 'The Big Chop.' Can u now see the forest??? The trees are beginning to clear." Another fan, @lpg1andonly, referred to a famous (and accurate) quote. "'A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life' ~Coco Chanel," the Instagrammer wrote. "And she was right... Ever since I cut mine off back in 07’ I felt empowered and strong. I never knew how beautiful my hair truly was and how more beautiful showing it made me look and feel. Tamar, own the world as it is yours for the taking. I love your courage...you are fierce and forever be proud and let nothing or no one hold u back Sis!!!"
Moral of the story? Haters be damned, because there's no feeling like being free. Fly high, bluebird!
LVMH just announced the nine finalists for its highly-regarded Young Fashion Designer Prize, which is awarded to fashion designers who have produced at least two collections and are under the age of 40. The group of men’s and women’s designers — which include A-Cold-Wall, Botter, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, Doublet, Eckhaus Latta, Kwaidan Editions, Ludovic De Saint Sernin, Matthew Adams Dolan, and Rokh — are from all over the globe and have been chosen from a group of 20 semi-finalists by 48 international fashion heavyweights like J.W. Anderson, Nicolas Ghesquiére, Marc Jacobs, and Maria Grazia Chiuri among others. The competition was so stiff that Delphine Arnault, the director and executive vice president of LVMH, actually extended the number of finalists to nine instead of eight because it was so hard for the judges to narrow down their selections.
“This year saw a real diversity of talent, with two brands designing womenswear, two designing menswear, two both womenswear and menswear, while three create gender neutral fashion,” Arnault said in a press release. “I am moreover delighted that Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, a semi-finalist in 2017, has returned to the competition.” We will see who comes out on top after the finalists present their designs at the Foundation Louis Vuitton on June 6.
The winner of the competition will receive a grant of €300,000 (about $420,000 U.S.) and 12 months of assistance from a special LVMH team to help develop their company. The mentorship will focus on matters of intellectual property, sourcing, production and distribution, and marketing. In previous years, Marine Serre (2017), Grace Wales Bonner (2016), Marques’Almeida (2015), and Thomas Tait (2014) have each taken home the prize, and seen quite the success since.
Be sure to watch this space for updates on the competition.
Scrunchies, choker necklaces, body glitter, lip gloss — this is just some of the evidence that our favorite decade is back in a big way. Celebs like Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Zendaya, and Olivia Culpo are all wearing hints of the '90s that we thought were gone for good. But there's one throwback trend in particular that's easier to recreate and cheaper to buy than the rest, and it happens to be Jenner's favorite. Enter: headbands.
The young star took to her website to share her love for the hair accessory, saying, "I wore a pretty headband in the Chanel show this spring and now I'm totally feeling the look! They're totally a '90s throwback in the best way. I'm loving a wide black one, but there are so many cute options." We'd have to agree: Headbands can instantly jazz up any outfit or hairstyle. But if you think you have to drop loads of dough on a Chanel number to match her look, you haven't seen these affordable options.
Ahead, we've rounded up a few of our favorite alternatives that won't make you to feel guilty for bringing back your middle school staple.
There's more to mesh fabric than what you've seen in the "I'm Too Sexy" music video. Exhibit A: This ultra-chic black headband.
Urban Outfitters Mesh Headwrap, $18, available at Urban Outfitters.
Remember those painful headaches that almost always came after wearing a plastic headband around for too long? Us too. This one is just as cute, but comes in a flexible jersey fabric that causes zero pain.
Kitsch Black Braided Knot Head Wrap, $16, available at Kitsch.
Black goes with everything, but there's nothing wrong with finding one with some floral flare.
Cara Floral Knot Headwrap, $29, available at Nordstrom.
Blair Waldorf would be proud — and maybe jealous — of this cute leather band that dresses up even your most casual look.
Kitsch Vegan Leather Skinny Headband, $16, available at Kitsch.
Pearls might feel more private school than Cannes, but if Jenner and her hairstylist Jen Atkin approve, then so do we.
ASOS Pearl Twist Headband, $13, available at ASOS.
If you'd prefer your headband make a bigger impression than Jenner's, then slip on a slightly brighter color like navy blue.
Kitsch Navy Blue Knit Head Wrap, $16, available at Kitsch.
Only the most dedicated accessory fans will commit to a headband this expensive. But it's totally worth it, right?
Jennifer Behr Rosette Silk Headband, $328, available at Anthropologie.
The one downside to elastic headbands is that they require constant readjustment. Opt for an accessory that ties at the bottom and won't budge until you need it to.
Free People Tie Back Headband, $24, available at Free People.
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